New thread here

dawn if it was me in your situation, I wouldn't do anything for her. She's come to expect help from you and her brother and takes you for granted imho. I do the same with my sisters. I don't bother with them as they'd take the p*ss big time. I still send cards and presents for my nieces and nephews (they've done nothing wrong) and I still see the LO's when I'm visiting.

You can either just stop the help or you can explain to her how you are feeling. If it was me then I'd do both.

HTH.

Off to docs now.......

Now for my shameless x-post rant - I don't do it often put up with it

Sam is 12 weeks old, in that time dp's family have done the following for us:


Did you see anything there? That's because they've done nothing. I have no family anywhere near me. We are relatively new to the area. My best friend has a 10 month and 5 year old. We have NO support network. SIL came around yesterday, as soon as she got in the house she was making excuses up about how much she had to do that day, this included looking after her friends child, her friedn lives a 5 minute walk away from us and SIL visits this friend at least once a week. It was recently dp's birthday, his sister asked him what he wanted (he got cash of me and Sam because he wants a flat screen tv and was short about the amount that we would have spent on a present anyway, he loved that!) DP told her he wanted some cleaning and the lawn mowing, SIL is broke and on benefits this would have cost her nothing. When she came round it was the second time in 12 weeks, dp has been round on numerous occasions to help her out and we've been over at least 6 times to see her during this time. She asked me what dp wanted for a present, she said dp had mentioned 'some rubbish' about wanting some cleaning and the lawn doing. I told her that's exactly what he wants. DP was working locally yesterday and came home for lunch whilst she was here, she asked him again what he wanted and he repeated cleaning and the lawn mowing. SIL then said she couldn't do it this week but could next week - she knows dp is off for 2 weeks next week so dp said not to bother until after the holidays. I think she is hoping he forgets - ^good job he's got a fabulous Tigga with the memory of an elephant to remind him^. I couldn't help myself as she was leaving I mentioned that we were doing this with absolutely no support from anyone it was in response to something she'd said. When SIL had her children she was constantly at her mothers (dp's mum doesn't drive) in the first 6 months of getting nephew home (he was VERY prem) she spent exactly one day at home and couldn't cope. When neice was born she did exactly the same thing and neice was born at full term.

I am SO annoyed at them, not for me for dp. It wouldn't kill his sister to ring up and say I'm coming into your town can I pick you up anything, she knows I'd pay her the money there and then, which reminds me she still owes dp some cash. It's like a kick in the teeth to dp when he will go and help her out but she won't do anything to help him. She's such a selfish person ARGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!

VeryAnnoyedTiggaxx

PS I feel much better having got that off my chest my normal drivel will now resume.

Morning all. Blimey jw I missed all that - that goodness it didn't get worse. Good idea to get it checked out before the weekend. AND I can totally see why you'll be hibernating early - it's just not worth it. I think this hot, sticky weather probably isn't helping - the thunder last night was wild...I mean house-shaking. Let us know what the GP thinks.

tee good that you've spotted the signs - nip it in the bud and all that. Mind you, if I remember correctly you've got understanding of it all previously, which, quite frankly can be a real help. And as the others have said it's so common and also so easily confused with tiredness/hormones etc. Back to Happy Mummy tres soon

dawntigga you know you wanted the no-neck giraffe - it spoke to you - it said "buy me - I'm cute"

RIght - it's chucking it down - definately staying in till I pick up Iris. Cuppa tea me thinks and then chores

jw really glad to hear K got some sleep!

S has taken to nomming on the SNG (Special Needs Giraffe - he has no neck we are experiencing diversity from an early age in our house) so it has wet hoofs. Still better than using mommy as a dummy

WonderingWhyYou'dBuyAGiraffeWithNoNeckTiggaxx

Morning all. Is it bedtime yet??

K is still sleeping this morning which is no surprise as she went from 7am to midnight with 5 minutes shut eye inbetween. I should think she's exhausted. She finally went off around midnight at which point we agreed to cancel the out of hours doctor. We didn't want to wake her up again once we'd settled her. I'm going to phone my GP this morning and get her an appointment today so that the cough isn't lingering and gatherin pace over the weekend.

I think we've all had one of those coughs which starts up as soon as we try and lie down and it's very frustrating. Just have to be extra vigilant with K and her CLD as she doesn't have the lung power to fight it properly.

I've cancelled DS#2's b'day restaurant trip on Sunday for obvious reasons and told them all that's it now, no more going out for me and K. It's gonna be a long way to March!

tee Glad you're seeking help re the depression. Don't let it get a grip. You know all of this anyway though I questioned myself having PND last week but I've had it before and knew that it wasn't it this time. I just have a silly arse of a DH (which you don't and he seems very supportive) Good luck with docs and don't let them mess you about. Mum Power!

Anyway, guess I should catch up on some chores around these parts before I start hassling the GP surgery.

Hopefully catch you all later with some improvement news

morning all

tee after birth of DS1 i had bad PND, was in hospital for it. so when around 32 weeks with DS2, started taking AD, still on it now. when DS2 was born, at 2-3 weeks, i did get panicky and anxious. but it did not get so bad as last time. still on AD now actually. so yes good to get help. i am on escitalopram 5mg per day. still can breastfeed.
good luck let us know what ur GP says. also i was seeing psychologist.

jw how is K?

JW Hope you got some abs sorted and K had a good night

Tee sorry to hear the blues are beginning to hit...personally I couldnt tell if it was because of coming down from such and emotional high, or lingering distress over the loss of my previous baby and my Dad or simple exhaustion (probably all 3!) but I foolishly didnt get help and am only now 19/20 mths later really feeling more 'myself'. You know the symptoms and know the best way to handle it for you ...it is more important to be a happy mum to Adam than struggling fighting it alone.

Morning all.

JW I hope K is doing okay this morning and you've got her some ABs or whatever she needs.

I've managed to sleep all night in our spare room again. I am, however, definitely having some depression. Making an appointment to see my doc ASAP.

Hope everyone managed some sleep last night.

jw let us know how K is doing. Hope she gets a good sleep.

JW Hope they get her on abs asap and she is back to her normal charming self quickly. Totally understand you not wanting to take her to a viral breeding ground like hospital.

I hope all those who have been suffering sleepless nights get a decent rest tonight.

D's just got over a cold and seems to be getting other - there's loads of them about. I'm sure you're right jw and its not the flu.

Too right not to take her to hospital - more likely to catch flu there than anywhere especially in a paediatric ward.

I hope you get her sorted quickly.

JW I'm crossing everything that a nip in the bud course of abs will sort Princess K out.

Got to go and settle O, he is not a happy bunny either, but just teeth I think (one day they will come through)

Just got off the phone after a nurse advisor rang me back. She seems to think that K is an urgent case so I'm waiting for the on-call doctor to ring me.

She doesn't have a temperature and apart from screeching, wailing, flailing arms, she quite perky although knackered. I'm thinking that what started as a cough and cold has gone to her chest. If it can be treated with AB's, then sooner the better. I worry about her chest with the chronic lung disease. It doesn't take much before she's got an infection.

We've agreed we don't want her taking into hospital though. She'll prolly end up with something much worse.

Let you know what doc says.

JW I hope she feels better soon. Lots of good thoughts for her and you.

Oooo mrsB that sounds like a hoot. I reckon a D & Verity race across a slidey floor would look hilarious!

erm I did resist the lens and it's a combo of menstrual lunacy and real desire. Seems that everywhere is touched by swine flu

OK girls....look at the number of posts....need a NEW ONE! Who's gonna do it? Bagsy not me *kicks can and runs away

Off to bed soon - another bonkers day!

jw hope you find out what it is soon. Apart from SF, there are still all the usual cold/cough suspects out there. Hope she picks up soon for you and that it is just a regular bug that she makes short work of.

jw hope u get thru to NHS direct soon!

any temperature jw?

she hasn't been in contact with anyone with it, as far as you know?

K had 5 mins in the car all day. She's still awake now. As soon as I got her out, she woke up and screamed again.

I'm just on the phone to NHS Direct. It's now going through my mind re swine flu. Her cough is hacking, almost croup-like. She's full of cattargh and screams as soon as I try and put her donw for a sleep.

Sigh.

Still waiting in a queue so no idea what they'll say. I think it's gonna be a loooooooooong night though

jj I say buy the lens! It's a Canon - think of all the lovely pictures of the girls you'll have that you might otherwise have missed by being too far away to get a close shot. <not being helpful at all>

mrsb sorry but lol at that image

DP has just found out about my Bumbo and it's cost - he took it rather well considering

SpentTooMuchTiggaxx

D has cultivated a most ungainly mode of locomotion; he kind of "swims" across the floor flapping arms and legs madly.

They don't seem too bad ermintrude both (normally workaholics) spent the day reading (her) and watching golf on telly (him) and she managed to book some tickets to Michael McIntyre in Sept so probably not at death's door...

he is not seeing his kids this weekend though so as not to pass it on.

If they'd get this jab sorted soon we could get vaccinated and the LOs wouldn't be at so much risk.

How does that work with breastfeeding I wonder? if you get a jab do the antibodies get passed on through the milk?

Did you resist the camera, JJ? Could it have anything to do with menstrual lunacy?

JW Hope your foot-related problems were all resolved this afternoon and that K is right now having a little snooze, not so much to spoil her night-time sleep, but just enough for you to get something done

dawntigga My mum wrote to Be-Ro with a cheque for 6 new copies of the reprinted booklet, explaining that each of her 5 daughters had been sent off to uni with an earlier copies and 20 yrs on (OMG,it's more than that for me ) they were a bit dog-eared. I think she hoped that Be-Ro would write back with free copies and a request that her daughters feature in their next advertising campaign. They just sent her the 6 copies .

Tee hmm, am analysing the cost/benefit of letting Arthur sleep on us while we watch Season 4 of The Wire..

DD came home from school with a letter saying there were 2 suspected cases of swine flu and they'd be staying open. Such a bind at the very end of term - they break up on Tues. Since DD is Yr 6 it's all go with leavers' assemblies and parties etc. so I can't not send her, but really hope it doesn't come baby's way . I'm feeling a bit sniffly already, hopefully just in that way I always feel itchy when they bring home nit letters...

How's your sis and her BF doing MrsB?

Evening all. Oh I'm feeling in period meltdown

jw did K get any sleep? And how is the toe doing...yeeeeouch do you reckon it's broken?

heron puking of cot is never good Hope he's perked up.

Iris was manic after playschool - it was like she'd drunk a pint of aspartimine

DP late home again tonight - that boy is working like a dog. Hate it when he's not here to put the girls to bed - they just get all cranky. I don't know how you ladies do it when your OH's go away.

Iris is banging on her bedroom window and shouting to the kids 2-doors down...they're now all shouting at each other. Oh Lordy - they're only 2 and 3 yrs old - they'll be phoning each other next!

Ah, A finally fell asleep after lunch. For a treat I let him sleep in my arms for about 3 hours (and he's still asleep!) while I watched the West Wing! He's 5 weeks old today!

JW hope you enjoyed your pedi even if your toe was broken! and OWIE!

erm they sell the Be-Ro book in Morrisons

TooManyRecipeBooksTiggaxx

jw ouch sorry about ur toe! some days you just have to say fark!!!!

my LO has been unsettled as well. puked in his cot. and crying. what have babies got to cry about i sometimes scream in my head?!?!

ok rant over

Well it's gone 3pm and K has not had one sleep today since 7am. I think she's overtired now and there's no consoling her. Plus think I've broken my toe by stubbing it fetching the Calpol I'm supposed to be having a pedicure in an hour or so. Fark!

Anyway, rotten bananas are in the oven just in case you wanted to know bonzo. Smells luvverly.

Feel like hitting the cooking sherry but know it'd make me feel very, very, ill indeed.

Is it bedtime yet?

Could someone please stop me from buying a pricy Canon zoom lens that I feel I REALLY must have. Stop me....restrain me...there's a recession on for gawd's sake..........................give me cake or something....

Cheers erm am getting too it asap! The flies are a swarming sorry bonzo! Lol@book selection. I just had "Grub on a Grant" I still fondly look back on the tin of ratatouille splatted onto a plate with an egg on top!

Gosh - all go again and Iris has only just admitted defeated and gone for a nap! Really perky as old friend and former business partner is coming over on Sat - mind you she does only live west london so it's not miles. Pleased to hear the business is still doing brilliantly - hah - I knew it was a good idea - just hated doing it!

jw poor K - hope she gets better soon. It is very muggy, sticky and generally not very conducive to feeling bright.

mrsB gosh your poor sis Talking to a mum today and she said her eldest son and DH were in a curfew upstairs in their house!

Right - off to make banana bread and do some washing.

Bob the cat has bought me in a dead baby blackbird as an offering. Nice

Afternoon all.

A is being Sir CrankyPants today. And eating in dribs and drabs. Was thinking constipation until I changed his last nappy, which was very full and fairly liquidy!

bonzo I am FF, but I am doing what I think is best, which is letting him have a full bottle and letting him drink as much as he wants from it over the 2 hours until it has to be thrown away. He's having about 20 ml every 30 minutes or so this way! After days of 120 ml every two hours!! BABIES!!

mrsb I would also be livid with that coworker who came to work with SF. Hope your sister feels better soon.

JW Hope K feels better soon as well.

[still puking] - you are all VILE. It's the putrifying black bananas and cooked bananas that are disgusting. Ewwwwww not fit for pigs.

Laughing at erm's midwife.

Tee sorry you're not sleeping. If it were me I'd completely ignore the HV advice about water. Baby knows he's hungry (if it is hunger) and water isn't going to help there and he's still tiny. Out of interest how long does he feed at a time? I know boobs and babies are different but I sort of encouraged M to feed for 20mins each side. If she fell asleep at the boob I tickled her feet or sat her up then down. Always changed her nappy between boobs so she was woken up again and then carried on jiggling her awake until she'd had a good long feed on the 2nd. Seemed to work as she fed pretty much every 4 hours even though I demand fed her. (I had the She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named book ... read about a quarter and then threw it as far as I could).

MrsB scary about your sister and BF. I'd be livid about the colleague. Hope HR have given them a bollocking talking to.

jw sorry K's sick. Sure it's not hayfever? Seems a long time after the jab to be getting that sort of symptom.

I've been on a mad house-clean. Shattered now even though the sty is only about a quarter done.

Excellent. Think I'll make some of this with the floppy bananas I have Wasn't Be Ro flour from the olden days?

mrsb sounds quite serious what your sis has. Do hope they're both going to get over it quickly. My SiL phoned last night to say she was taking 18 yo niece to docs today as she 'thinks' she has swine flu. I doubt it. She went to see HP last night at the cinema

K is coming down with either a cold or some reaction to the MMR. Nurse said anytime up to 15 days afterwards and we're at day 15 today. May be nothing to do with it at all. Who knows?

ermintrude as a collapsed catholic myself, I can see the logic of the 3 books your mother gave to you

Bonzo look away NOW!

Banana 'Tea Bread' from the Be-Ro* book

225 g (8 oz) SR flour
1/4 tsp bicarb of soda
pinch salt
75g (3oz) butter
175g (6 oz) caster sugar
2 medium eggs, beaten
450g (1lb) bananas weighed with skins on, then peeled and mashed (about 3 lg/4 sm fruit)
100g (4oz) walnuts, chopped (or substitute raisons, dried apricots etc).

1. Heat oven to 180C, grease and line a 1kg (2lb) loaf tin
2. Mix flour, bicarb and salt together
3. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, add eggs with a little flour
4. Stir in remaining flour, bananas and nuts/fruit
5. Bake for about 1hr 15 mins (does in 1 hr in my fan oven at about 170C

* If you don't have this, it's a classic little baking pamphlet with loads of recipes for all your basic English baking, you can prob order it from a website.

When I went off to uni, my mum gave me 3 publications: an ethical study of sexuality written by a Jesuit priest and entitled 'The Problems of Purity'; a guide to the Billings method of natural birth control (the one where you check your vaginal mucus every day) and the Be-Ro book. She hadn't thought it through - what could be more appealing to the average straight male student than a good Catholic girl of 18 who can bake? .

swine flu (or "the flu of all endings" as my OH sarcastically calls it)update

sis has ben sick over a weeek now, it has gone to her chest and she has a dreadful cough which she is on ab's for. Has stomach pains and has been told she will have to have a scan if it doesn't go) moving about causes terrible banging headache.

and now her bf who is even more senior than her in the company has come down with it.
between them they will be off for weeks and all down to a colleague who came in before he was better because he was bored at home

Have heard though that some of the worst "hot spots" in Scotland may be easing off slighlty...

ermintrude can you post the banana load/bread/cake recipe? I've just found 2 that are almost black in the fruit bowl. Like JJ says, the fruit flies are in ecstasy in these parts....

....awaits instructions.

Hi all - just a quick pop by before I pick Iris up from her Pre-school party. I've left her watching Colonel Custard - sadly NOT John Thompson in Corrie

tee totally agree that boiled water is outdated advice. Babies do cry for a reason and if they're hungry - well, thats it!!! SO many HVs seem to be trained in the (she-who-cannont-be-named-on MN!) school of thought. It's odd because I can't see why you should bottle feed any differently to breast feeding If you're happy - then YOU carry on. As you were....!!

erm is that like banana loaf? I've got loads on the turn - I can almost feel the fruit flies a'gathering!! I feel inspired - ta muchly! Any particular recipe?

bonzo My yoga teacher used to have a really good hit rate at naturally turning babies with various positions. She always said though that afterwards just don't go and sit back on a sofa.

Bullying is indeed evil. I was literally attacked for three years by a couple of girls - because I had red hair. Hahaha - saw one of them about 5 years ago....she looked like the sort of woman who'd be on 20 years younger because she was sad, revolting old trout! The book sounds excellent...I shall recommend it to the childminder 2 doors down she's involved in anti-bullying policies in schools.

dawntigga bumbo will definately have re-sale value!

mrsb nice to hear you all got a bit of a longer kip.

Right - off to collect Iris x

morning all

It's a network wide problem apparently causing the interwebs to break round these parts. Most annoying.

D slept from 10.30 last night til 6am - not too bad.

BELLA I had GD as well - controlled easily enough with diet - removed almost all of the mainly carb food from my diet (pasta, bread, potatoes) and got my carbs from things like porridge, veg, oatcakes and ginger nut biccies. Managed to keep my sugar levels pretty much at non GD levels and lost a bit of weigh too. No need for insulin. The only pain about it was the testign of bloods all day long.

Had to be induced at 39 weeks - because they insisted D was massive. He wasn't which I knew myself really and the induction was a mistake. If I had my time again I might have refused it although in some ways I would rather they were wrong than I was.

tee I tried replacing D's milk with water a couple ftimes to see if it would persuade him out of the night feeds (when he was 5 or 6 months ).It didn't work at all. Plus A seems very young. The thing about babies is that they KNOW how much food they need. So if my hv had given me that advice I would have nodded enthusiastically and then ignored it.

Morning all.

Not a great night here at Tee Towers. Slept from 9:30 - 1 then 2 - 4 and then 5 - 7, at which point I woke up DH and handed him over. Now he's asleep again.

I meant to ask y'all yesterday, Health Visitor recommended lengthing his time between feedings with cool boiled water. I didn't question it, as DH has an irrational (IMHO) fear of contradicting someone like that. But I am pretty sure that is out dated advice...right?

Of course, I am not that keen on forcing a schedule on him anyway. LO, not DH.

hedgepig

JW at least it works well!

erm send some banana bread my way. I'll have bonzo's share!

dawn was the great bumbo hand off between floria and JW before you joined the thread? T'was some great reading.

Right, having some coffee then I will try to soak in bath for a bit while he's asleep and DH is doing his work. Have I mentioned how much I love having a DH who can work from home during the summer?

Oi Bonzo, banana bread is really banana cake and thoroughly delicious slathered in butter. Oops, can I hear you retching again? . It's in the oven; I'll send a slice over later.

We have a couple of small runs of 3 or 4 stairs - didn't risk it on the main flight down to the hard tiles . Leaning over a gymball was also good. I did all my contractions and all but the last minutes of the birth over a gymball, having sneered at my sister's recommendation ("What need have I of such a new-fangled invention? Why, I gave birth bent over my bed last time, the good old-fashioned way blah blah..."). Babe was slightly back-to-back right at the end so I was sort of gyrating on the ball, completely unconsciously, which apparently helps turn the baby. Regarding the view of my circling backside, one MW checked the window anxiously saying 'Is this room overlooked?' and the other one muttered, 'If it is, they'd only look once.' .

dawntigga tell DH the bumbo will keep its resale value

Have just bought a bumbo through ebay - DP will kill me when he finds out the price for a seat!

SoonToBeInTroubleTiggaxx

[pukes] at banana bread.
I think I can almost push this baby into the right position ... if I lie on my side and stick a cushion under the bump it moves away from sideways. Can't really imagine explaining to DH why I fell down the stairs and broke my neck lying down the first steps ... but I've brushed the kitchen floor on my hands and knees so that has sort of the same effect.
I'm with Florida on the "little bastards". I was bullied mercilessly at school plus had some really shitty "so called friends" (was ginger, freckly, specky, skinny as a pole, no fashion sense and a Liverpool accent in manchester ... no chance really eh?)

Florida ha at the relief at an early wake-up call.

Bonzo the cat position - where you stick your arse in the air and keep upper body near the floor (resting on forearms was most comfy for me, or walking hands down a few stairs while kneeling at top of flight) is a good way of discouraging any diagonal movement and keeping a vertical lie. Also just leaning forward all the time when sitting so belly hangs a little. Anything which uses gravity to stop the little beggar darling baby from turning around.

A sleeping; I'm going to make banana bread with the manky old fruit I found at the bottom of the bowl yesterday.

erm and jw - I think that's what's good about that book - builds self esteem for "nasty friend" situations as well as physical bullying. The reviews below the link say it all really.

I have to say that I slept on the settee from about 9:15 and then went to bed at 10:30 and didn't phone the hospital . But today sprog is head down again. I'm 39 weeks tomorrow and yes baby still has loads of room to turn all the way round without me really feeling it. I think I have a floppy womb and lots of fluid or something (saggy belly and I'm MASSIVE - added a new photo).
With M they spotted her transverse at 38 weeks and made me stay in hospital for 10 days while she went round and round like a top. I know cord prolapse is exceedingly dangerous but I also know that by the time I drove to the hospital this one could have turned another 180 degrees. Had no show or any sign of anything like stuff starting.

floria love your diplomacy. I said to DH last night that kids can be 'little bastards'. I guess we mean the same thing

JW wow! it works! fabulous!

MrsB Well done O...we were up 15 mins before you, but to tell the truth Iwas actually relieved .. after 2 reasonably time wake ups Dh was beginning to think that I had fibbed about all the 5.00 starts to make him feel guilty about enjoying himself in SA

Bella I got GD at about 32 wks...managed it with diet no probs, they wouldnt have induced 2 wks early if my bp hadnt gone sky high too...natural delivery, 7lb 13oz... and all signs of Gd gone immediately after birth. Try not to worry, worst thing for me was, after all the food restrictions of pregnancy (all my fave foods), to then have my few treats (chocolate especially) taken from me too ... but it is a small price to pay and for a very short time
.

JW. So sorry for dss ... kids can be such nasty creatures en masse Hard to believe when you know the size of me but I endured several years of bullying at school, it was the pits, I'm glad you can at least give him a book to hopefully help him cope, I just got the "sticks and stones .." adage quoted at me
At least Dh tried to get something that might be useful for you ... I just think men are a bit rubbish in general when it comes to gifts...my Dad wanted to get me a microwave for my 21st (I passed in favour of a ring) and actually got me a garden spade and fork for Christmas one year when I didnt even have a garden! ... oh, and drove my automobile phobic Mum to tears on one christmas morning after buying her a course of 20 driving lessons!

Morning all.

hedgepig brilliant news. Tell the wee boy he needs to keep it up

Tried out my neck massager last night and I guess it makes a difference. Fell asleep on it.

You got a gremlin in your machine mrsb*?

*tee did you get any sleep last night?

morning, O slept 'til 6 ....that's it really

evening all

broadband down all night again here.

everyone's gone to bed

oh well

/shuffles off to bed

Right, ordered the book Hopefully he'll enjoy it and take something from it...to school, with luck

I did think about Akela noticing but obviously not. Or maybe thinks boys will be boys and leave them to it...no idea. I think things go on in the playground and not always noticed. Especially with boys who are bit rough and tumble anyway.

I would have liked the scissors in varying sizes. I bought myself a set not long ago. My kids think I'm barking mad but I really do like them. I can see the good deed that DH was trying to do with the massager but didn't quite pull it off. Not arsed about it now.

bonzo I thought you were around the 37-38 week mark? Surely you can't have much room to play with in there???

1-handed typing sorry for tyois i mean typos..

JW It's a great deal better than a set of scissors of varying sizes (never-to-be-mentioned ultimate Bad Gift from FH many moons ago), altho why it couldn't have been supplemented wit6h a little something on the day is one of those things which make men so - ummm = mysterious...

Sorry to hear about DSS . Hope teacher/Akela are helpful tho sounds like they should have noticed already..

bonzo my LO was often partially transverse till around 34-36 wks but assumed pole position in time. There was just too much room in there .

That book sounds good - masy order it for DD, who has one or two terribly mean and manipulative 'friends'.

bonzo thanks for the link. I'm going to order it tonight when I get through all the washing with cattargh/milky sick on it. Yep, she did it again ...but in the car this time. Crikey, I'm gonna need a degree in engineering to get the car seat cover back on

I do feel sorry for him but kids can be so bloody cruel at times. We can't be there each time he goes to school so hopefully the book will give him a few pointers

DH bought the massager for my neck. Remember I had a bad neck a few months back? Well it's back again so will give it a go and see if it makes any difference. If not, then I need to see a physio.

bonzo I'd be really worried if the MW had said that to me (about the cord prolapse etc). I'd be awake! Every night until it was born I worry too much though.

tee glad that A fell for the old winding trick..shhhh don't tell him we fooled him though

jw ... a thoughtful present but hardly worth the wait. Poor DSS - kids are VILE! I'd HIGHLY recommend this book Bullies_Bigmouths_and_so_called_friends a really good guide to dealing with not just the bullies but people who put you down. I cried when I read it and wished someone had given it to me at school. I've bought it for all my friends with children over 6. My niece's (she's 11) is completely thumbed and she says it is great.

hedgepig ahhh at O.

bella - bugger about the GD but hopefully you'll see it's not the end of the world.

I'm sure this baby is lying transverse this evening. Midwife said baby wasn't at all engaged at my appointment and asked if it went sideways at all. I said o"h yes loads". She said to phone triage if it goes transverse again as there's a risk of cord prolapse if my waters go. Am I being really pathetic to not bother and want to just curl up on the settee and snooze?

jw well, it is a practical pressie. hope it works!

also ur poor DSS what can you say to him?

bella sorry to hear you got GD. i had it when i went for test at 29 weeks. i controlled it by eating low GI foods and taking meformin. i was seeing a consultant every couple of weeks. and also my baby was being scanned every couple of weeks. he was born by c section at 38 weeks. i had c section because i chose to. i had section with DS1 as well. he was born healthy and did not need insulin or anything. though they did do his blood sugar straightaway.

try not worry. it is common, esp for us older mums. my GD went away after baby was born.

JW it isn't the worse prezzie ever. But it certainly isn't the best either. What is it with DH's and bad gifts?!?!

And your poor DSS. Kids are so mean to anyone they see as 'different'.

BTW, that winding trick seems to be working, thanks for the tip!

hedgepig there was doubt about O being the cutest?

I'm not supries but do realise I am a bit biased .

JW that actually looks quite nice, my neck is killing me so please let me know if it works.

It's this

Having a mare here tonight. Found out from another mum that DSS has been 'pushed around' by one of the boys in his class for some time now. Also the boys at cubs have all been ignoring him and making him sit on his own I know he's sometimes not one of the boys (due to his Aspergers) but this is wrong. I feel so sad for him tonight

hedgepig you're suprised that O is the cutest baby in the village? Why????!

Yes! Yes! what was it??????

Sports day was nice and I was told by one of the TAs that here mum thought O was the cutest babay in the village

Absolute chaos here tonight, DH and I are feeling all washed out, we must have a nice early night.

GO ON THEN!!!! What the HELL WAS IT????

Evenin' all.

Turned out nice again here

We've had a girly afternoon just driving around. And I bought a couple of things...and took DD#1 to the GP (again), who told her exactly the same thing as I told her All is well now....and breathe out...

DSS is having a nice time off school and not complained once. Strange that eh?

tee glad you got things sorted with HV.

JJ Now let me see...dollies, washing up bowl, water...I see a pattern emerging. Is the missing word 'A&E'?

bella I had GDD from 16 weeks. It's not a big deal honestly. You'll just spend a lot more time at the antenatal clinic when you're there

ermintrude enjoy your cow and grapes. I wouldn't worry about piggy flu and taking baby out. I think it's the people who already have health problems that are the ones that need to keep inside.

I'm getting a parcel of nappies tomorrow and I'm rather excited. In a seperate parcel I'm getting a wool wrap to try out. Oh joy! I just know I won't sleep tonight

Headlines today: my b'day present arrived. I have so far been a cow to DH and told him to send it back as it's 51 weeks too early. I may relent later when the LO's are asleep. Mani/pedi tomorrow. Postponed due to DD#1 being ill so treats tomorrow. Woooppeeeeeee!

bella first of all, don't panic. I have had Type II diabetes for about 3 years and just gave birth to a perfectly healthy little boy just over a month ago.

I controlled with just diet until I became pregnant, and then was put on insulin for the duration. A few hours after giving birth, I stopped my insulin and my numbers have been fine ever since.

My number one piece of advice is to ask to be put on insulin right away. Its all well and good for the docs to say 'oh, you can control it with diet' but it is much harder to do that way, and usually winds up with a very hungry mummy. Insulin is not scary. The needles do not hurt at all, even testing your blood is very low level of pain, if any at all.

Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have and/or to email me at tee AT leyser DOT org (usual format) if you want to discuss off board.

As for natural birth, it does not end all your choices. True, no home birth, but my OB, at least, was entertaining the idea of me going to term and natural right up to the end of my pregnancy when everything started to go to hell. So long as you get your diabetes under control ASAP, you could still give birth naturally. It does happen for diabetic mummies, I promise it does!

Bet your girls had great fun bathing dollies JJ. Surely their happy smiling faces make the mopping up easy?!

bellatrixiata wise words from JJ, I'm sure some experts will tell you more about their experiences soon. And although it's a shame you can't have a home birth, things might work out more straightforwardly than you fear... and in any case, best that they find out about it now and give you and LO the care you need. Courage!

No time for proper catch-up - DD's school show tonight so just giving her and DS1 their tea before DH arrives to ferry us all off. All this talk of swine flu has made me worry about whether Arthur and I should go, but DD has a singing part and is desperate for me to see her, and I have to take the baby out to school pick-up etc. so will just avoid anybody coughing and sneezing. I'm finding that most coughing and sneezing people avoid babies automatically thankfully - I have 2 friends who have called to croak their congratulations but are waiting to get over nasty colds before visiting us).

And when we return and get the older 2 to bed, it's sirloin steak and wolf blass cab sauv for us .

bellatrixiata Awww - I'm sorry to hear that - but I think that you'll find LOADS of support on here...as there are a few ladies who I know can share their experiences. Am I right - oh GDD gurus? I'm sure they'll be along to reassure you VERY Soon! And that means NO googling in the meantime!! xxx

tee good to hear you saw HV - hope you got some sleep!

It's wet, wet, wet in here. Who's crazy idea was it to let the girls bath their dolls in washing up bowls - on the floor??? FOOL!

not a happy note today - GTT test this morning says I have gestational diabetes so there goes all my choices re natural birth, not to mention new worries about possible harm to baby. Can't bear to look for any info today - what the MW told me is bad enough to be going on with

Glad to hear that your spoke to her. See how he goes then

Just quick note before I go crash for most of the afternoon (bliss of having a DH who is a teacher and can work from home during the summer marking!!)...HV thinks C&G 2 a bad idea. He's just too little. Better to keep giving him C&G 1 and up the amount if necessary!

Other than that, she thinks he's doing smashing!

Snooooooooooozeeeee

aww floria sweet image

hmm no, wouldn't put him in his own room yet jw as I couldn't be fecked with getting up and going into another room to feed him! he rarely wakes anyway.

sunny again here now...

HAHAHA PMSL@dawntigga's latest offering Why thank you kind Tigga - we shall indeed...!

bonzo Ooo those last few days, where even sleep feels like an evil trick. Poor you. And yep. What is it with those dreams?

floria that's a glorious image - love the sucking in of the tummy. I can see that 30 years from now..."beer belly - moi? I don't think so...look, look, flat as a pancake!"

Yep, we too went out wrapped up like kippers and came back outside into beaming sunshine and now we're sweating like piggies.

Oh, what shall we do with the rest of the afternoon??????

Morning all,

That's it go about your day

InAPixieMoodTiggaxx

obviously the sleep deprevation has hit my typing ..... ^^

hey Frorida sounds like your son has a life set on the stage!

Sorry you all had bad nights with babes. I had a bad night with bump. Tossing and turning and having stupid dreams, toilet about 20 times and turning over (major industrial undertaking) every half an hour, waking and worrying etc. Shattered now.
Just been to last toddler group of the year and am utterly shattered. Just hoping mum stays and helps rather than bogging off and leaving me for the afternoon. (Neeeeeed sleeeeeep).

Blooming weather! Can't make its' mind up! I get out nice and early to walk the dog in the sunshine...sans coat for myself..fortunately put a thick fleece on Alex and had the raincover for the bugaboo with us because first it blew a gale and then drenched me (and the dog)...now we are home, showered and changed the blooming sun is back out!!!!
Sorry to hear of such dreadful nights, I expected the same as his lordship passed out at 6.15 on the way to his grans, slept until 8.15 (normal bed time) but fortunately went back to sleep on the way homeat 9.15 and only woke ofr a quick feed at 1am and 4.45...didnt want up until 6.30...thats a really good 'un for us!

Thought I'd share this image...A.s' latest trick is removing his clothes ...and strutting round the living room starkers pushing his teddy in a pram and pulling in his tummy.... hysterical!

mrsb is it time to be thinking about putting D in his own room with a monitor next to him? Just thinking he might not get disturbed as easily.

Hope your sis is feeling better.

Good luck with the petting farm. Sun has suddenly got it's hat on here so sending warm rays your way

tee hope all goes well with the HV and she gives you advice and inspiration.

I thought of you last night when I was winding K. Here's a little trick to try to get A to burp up quicker....

....sit him on your knee. Right leg works for me. Rub his back in circlular motion with left hand. As you're doing this, gently rock your right leg from side to side. Works everytime to get their wind up easily. Someone on BLISS website told me about this when K was tiny and screaming with wind. Sounded like a pile of crap to me but I tried it and it's worked ever since

Hope it works for you too. Will be interesting to see if it does.

mornng all

shattered again. D up for feeeds at 2am and 6am.
/sigh

at least he is sleeping ok in the cot. blimeyhe is alight sleeper though - if you so much as cough he starts harummhhping and throwing heimself about the cot. He looks so wee in it compared to how he looked in the Amby. Lies on his side and front too but there's not much I an do about that.

no word from sis - sent her a few texts yesterday but no reply. must try again in a bit.

horrible day here too - rainy and yuck. Unfortunately we are taking D on his nursery day trip to a petting farm on Friday and it promises to chuck it down then too.

sorry to hear about bad nights all round

right, must away

my LO is finding it hard to have his nap these days. because he can no longer nap on our bed (cos he fell off it the other day!) he now has to cry and fuss. i go in every couple of mins to check on him and soothe him. hope he gets used to the new sleeping arrangements soon. poor baby.

jj no, have not taken DS to V&A. he goes to science museum a lot. it is a short bus ride away from where we live. so it is real handy. will make a mental note of the V&A. our neighbours take their kids there a lot and says how nice it is.

oh shame about the harry potter tickets would love to go to dubai! sit by poolside, sip cocktails...

YAWN!

Little man up every 2 hours. Drank 30 - 50 mls. Back to sleep. No poo, just wakeful. I did the check list for sure JW!! Only thing I didn't have to bother about is teeth!! Oh and MMR jab!

hedgepig Right there with you on the unsettled baby all night who is now fast asleep. Mine is getting woken in about 10 minutes as HV is suppose to be here between 10 and 10:30 and he'll need his nappy changed and a clean shirt!

heron enjoy the summer hols!

JJ 12 hours! I think I'd be panicking! Nice f your friend. Really, it was.

Morning all. Gosh it's a wild, wet and windy day out - howling like a banshee it is.

Verity slept for 12 hours - had to go and check on her in the end and she'd even slept through the most enormous poo (overwhelming pong as you opened her door!) At least it was a solid one - so I think she'd been more poorly than I thought.

Blimey duchesse your sister is WAY too needy - need to knock that on the head now. YOU and YOUR family come first.

hedgepig hope B has a fun sports day. I still remember winning the egg and spoon race - only the once mind and never won anything ever again in the sports field! Sorry poor O had a rubbish night.

jw By the cheap Swedish shop are you meaning IKEA? Oh **sigh I really could do with going but the thought of the drive down the Devil's passageway (North Circular) into Wembley fills me with dread.

heron hope you've got lots of lovely fun-filled things to do with the LOs for a whole SIX weeks! We're coming into London next Sat eve with the girls to the V&A - it's all free on the last Friday of every month and this month it's the Summer Fete so they do Sat as well. It's magical - have you been? The whole place is open. The kids scoot around the place, there are stalls in the courtyard, face painting, food - it's fab.

OK - must go and get the girls ready - yes, we're yet to be properly attired and then skipping out to a playgroup.

My mate offered me a free ticket to go and see Harry Potter last night....shame it was in Dubai...PAH

jw yep, he will be making lots of mess at home, even more for me to put away! i have got him booked on various summer camps. on weds, he has gymnastics. on monday, he has swimming, on tues, he has arts and craft. thurs he has knights/princesses and fri, i think it is sports. all these camps are in the morning, then we will have lunch. then weather permitting, out in the garden in the afternoons!

hedgepig true, no rushing for school in the morning! camps dont start till 9.30am
what did O do last night? unsettled?

jw raining here too. staying in today!

Ahh the school holiday Heron should be fun, no more running around in the morning for 1 thing .

We just had the most appalling night with O, he is not on top form. Obviously he is fast asleep now.

Morning all. OOOh heron I bet you can't wait to have your DS#1 home Is he bringing you lots of nice things like dirty laundry?

Rain, rain and more rain here today. No matter as I have no plans to go anywhere.

K was up at 10.45ish last night when I was just going to bed. Screaming her head off (take note tee for process of elimination game ). Now, was it her teeth I asked myself? Gave her calpol just in case. Continues with the screaming. Could be hunger. Bottle coming right up! Swigged all of that. Then thoughts turned to MMR as it's 2 weeks since she had it done but can affect them up to 15 days later. Sighs. Turns out she'd done a huge poo. So there you go. You gotta tick all the boxes on the list just to make sure

Just saw the pics of Hannah Waterman on DM. Crikey, she's piled it on since leaving EE! I see Minty is gonna be a dad again.

Note to self: get out more.

mrsb any more news on your sister?

morning how is everyone? 3 more days and DS1 will be at home for 6 weeks on summer break! yikes

hedgepig they're not showing on the website but they have them instore.

Think it's night night time.

Sleep tight and all that jazz.......

Cripes no! your not going to send it back and say I'll wait another month.
My B is 28th Aug so it's so close to the 31st cut off for the school year, but he had to come out then so that's it (He's still brighter than some of his Sept born class mates so he will be fine in the long run).

I am all for a VBAC if that's what you want and its medically OK, but I too hope your sister sees sense and has anther cs given where she is.

Hedgepig- well remembered, it was my sister, but different sister. That sister is I hope going for a sensible planned CS this time.

And having two July birthday children + all connected hassle I would probably not have chosen an August birthday, but after six years wasn't going to argue with any baby that wanted to come along...

evening all, just been to WI meeting and now doing the washing up.

It's sports day tomorrow I hope B does OK but I have a feeling he wont concentrate and will miss the go whistle like last year. He tries so hard but can't keep up with his bigger older mates (another of the joys of a Aug birthday I suppose Duchess pls ignore any moany references to Aug birthdays)

JW cheap Swedish shop where where? I have had really difficulty tracking down older boys beach robes, I could make one but just don't have the time.

Duchess just change your phone number . Is this the sister in Thailand trying for VBAC after 3cs? or is a different one? (It was your sister wasn't it or have I remembered wrong)

JW you are welcome to a bit of my norkage I'm still a Bl** J cup and I didn't even bf O . The 1st thing I have to do in the morning is put a bra on even before I put my glasses on.

duchesse FFS - wants it all!? Get her to book it a month later then. Or send her the contact numbers for taxi/hotel/personal slaves.

seems a lot of faffing

She's legally domiciled here so she pays her taxes here and has her healthcare here. She will probably pay to go to the British hospital in Paris for the actual delivery.

duchesse Ok - I'm confused - don't they have midwives in France? Where is she planning on giving birth??? On your floor - with you there, running around making tea??

If she can sort herself to go on holiday she can bloomin well sort out getting to see a midwife. Yeah - I'm with tee*

*jw nice bit of sick down the old frontage eh.....smashing! Verity isn't feeling great, there's been lots of watery poos that smell horrendous

Right - another early night. It's hot and sticky and the rain has been thrashing down. I'm trying to get DP to make me a cup of hot choccy but he's having none of it...grrrr. Where's Barbara Woodhouse when you need her

I'm envious that you lot have a bra that you can get out of the grown up section. Mine have shrivelled to the 38A husks they are and will only manage to get into something in the teen section. I only wish you could all see the High School Musical bra I'm wearing tonight

evenin' all

Sorry haven't been on but there has been a problem with broken internets. All better now apparently.

Yep ideally my sister would not have been out and about house hunting but I don't think she even suspected she had SF (if she does have it)I am expecting her to visit soon and was a bit worried she would be bringing it with her (her workplace is riddled with it).

Managed a productive day today despite lack of sleep. It wasn't that bad really - I just stagger out of bed and OH does the baby organising bit while I trowel make up over the ever deepening wrinkles then trail alongside while he marches us all off to work.

jj am v envious of bra size shrinkage - despite the weight I have lost the norks remain as err obtrusive as ever.

hedgepig that is soo cute!

duchesse a tad annoying there, with the old sis shenanigans. my own is a great one for bemoaning her great fatness (whippet-like) in blissful ignorance of the feelings of a true fatty like me.

but wtf is Skinny Chubby?

Oh no no, you don't understand- she can't come sooner (ie at 28 weeks when she should) because she'll be on holiday! In Corsica!! If that helps.

I'm still fuming.

Sat at friend's house and drank tea all day (after last midwife appointment with lovely, lovely midwife). Hard life - I could cope with this lifestyle.

duchesse god what a primadonna sister! I'm with Tee in actually telling her to F-off about her appointment on your due date. That or rearrange it for a week before.

Lovely stuff on there hedgepig

tee it's on loan. I've made her sign an agreement to say so

Duchesse I agree with everything tee said about your sister!

JJ the prints really are lovely up close. Slightly worrying that your only memory is of a religious book Tootles the Taxi and Ned the Lonely Donkey (or even Mick the Disobedient Puppy), are favourites of mine. I have all of these as books as I collect them Katherine smiled at the pic today after I'd hung it. Praps she thinks the baby is her and it's really a mirror....

....talking of which, hedgepig, is this story that B is reading all about the bad things your DH gets up to

Oh dear. major puking sesh tonight. K managed to get it right down my top and into bra. It wasn't that cute baby sick either. Twas the curdled milk mixed with cattargh and a soupçon of calpol which I'd given to her 5 minutes previous Delightful. Had to change me, her (she'd just had a bath too) and her bed and sort out the carpet. Lovely lingering aroma.

mrsb hope your day was a bit better today. Here, I've made you cushion out of marshmallows and flumps. I've ordered you the big chair from the Lemsip advert but it won't be here for 2-3 days

hedgepig that little get up is lovely. I bought a towelling version from the cheap Swedish shop for about a fiver.

evening all

Sorry haven't been around today. Went shopping and then had a nap then had a cranky boy and some dinner!!

Mrsb sorry to hear about your sister. But it sure does sound mild. Hopefully all cases will be mild enough for people to go house hunting with them! Of course, she probably should have stayed home and not spread it around...

duchesse do tell her to F*ck off. I mean, really..wants to be picked up at the airport on or around your due date? Too bad, so sad, get a taxi!

hedgepig that is adorable!!

JJ congrats on bra size! Its so nice to lose weight!!

JW I have no experience with Ladybird, must not exist in US, but that print is indeed lovely. How lucky for K that you gave it to her for her room! I would have been tempted to keep it, myself.

Gotta go, it would seem that little man is waking up...

I have 3 and they're all hard work in varying degrees. I actually get on rather better with my little brother now than with most of my weird sisters and their toxic/obnoxious/weirdo other halves (which is an entire thread of its own...).

duchesse ur sis sounds like hard work!
i havent got any sisters, but have 3 brothers and have always wanted a sister. but i guess sometimes it is not always fun!

AAAAAAAaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrgghggghhhhhhH!

Sorry. Just had flying (20 hour visit) from overgrown teenaged primadonna pregnant sister (she of the crass remarks regarding my 6 yr journey to this pregnancy), followed by the "oh, my sister's pregnant, I have to have another NOW as well, ooh look I'm pregnant".

Went with her to various midwife, antenatal appointments. Sample conversation:

Sister: "So, why do you think I've put on 18kg so far in this pregnancy?" (she's 24 weeks).

Midwife: "Well you were very underweight before this pregnancy, and it's just nature's way of making sure the pregnancy continues."

Sister: "But I *wasn't underweight! My doctor said I was Chubby Skinny."

Me: WTF??

Midwife: "But your stated BMI before this pregnancy was 16.9, which in most people would ensure they wouldn't even get pregnant." **

Sister: " But I got pregnant about 2 mn after deciding to."

Lovely and patient midwife (I love her, she's my midwife too): "Yes but you may have got pregnant (subtext- by some fluke), but you were not carrying enough weight to stay pregnant, which is why you put on this weight."

She's gone now... Coming back for her 29 week appointment with the midwife, in 5 weeks' time, which is when? That's right- my due date. She will expect to be fetched from the airport (she lives part-time in France) and will doubtless want to stay or be ferried around and be fed.

I just want to emigrate or tell her to f*ck off at the very least. She drives me nuts.

** She claimed to be 48kg in weight prior to this pregnancy (probably more like a far more healthy 53 to look her), and claims to be 5ft 7 when she is nearer 5 ft 5.

I haven't lloked at monsoon but I got this for B from white_stuff. Still pretty expensive but a lot cheaper than it was.

B is reading his school book "Naughty Norman" to Daddy (Daddies name is Norman btw) so it is rather funny.

jw X-posts - I looked in Monsoon today - not working for me either - I think they were flogging off the wedding gear!

Nork news: I'm officially (the nork law according to M&S)a 34D...*claps hands in delight. The roll of fat under my bra that rendered me a 38G this time last year has gone

PMSL@that one jw - perhaps it means you're immune

mrsb wow - that's a) scary but also b) reassuring!! If that makes sense? Bad that she's probably got it - but good she can still fit in a bit of househunting...!

erm I read it like that as well. Oh I do like finding humour in black situations.

I heard JustineMumsnet on The World at One (with the totally and completely and utterly insipid Martha Kearny) today saying that MNetters were at a loss as so many people are being told or prescribed (or not prescribed) different things

jw that print sounds a bargin. I went throught the website the other night - so many memories. The one that really made me feel almost emotional was the old copy of the Lord's Prayer - for some reason almost every picture in that book stayed with me and they're just like I remember.

mrsB I have no idea how you are functioning. Do you have a dealer?

What's the verdict Radio 4 fans on the ISIHAC hosts...???? For me it's Dee, Fry and Brydon - what does everyone else think?

Well Monsoon sale was a big fat nothing for me. I was rather looking forward to getting some new things from there too Ah well.

I live with a swine. I wonder if that counts?

cripes MrsB I'm sure she will be fine. There was a Dr on the TV this morning saying he thinks loads of people have had it and not even known it was swine flu.

Reading this quickly I thought mrsb had got swine flu transmitted to her via text message' . Hope your sis hasn't got it, or if she has that she's over it soon. House hunting doesn't sound too much at death's door

Oh dear mrsb I do hope she's ok. She doesn't sound as though she's at deaths door though Is this related to why you're feeling so yuck yourself? I guess her GP will have to give her an official diagnosis and a course of Tamiflu then?

I thought Mr D had cracked this sleeping malarky.....only to get up to his old tricks last night No wonder you feel shite

well, what has been transmitted to me by text message is, v high temp, feeling like puking and a bad cold (this is a person who would normally not be off work with a cold but she has been off sick since last week and pitched up at the doctors this morning)

having said that she was out househunting at the weekend. so not dying by all accounts.

mrsb what symptoms has your sis got? is it like getting a cold?

ello all

No time to catch up. V busy and knackered - D woke at 4am for a feed after which my age old insomnia problem kicked in and I couldn't go back to sleep.

oh yes, my sis has most likely got the swine flu - a colleague of hers was diagnosed with it and "got bored" at home after a few days and came back to work still infectious. She seems not too bad though.

back later xx

JJ it's more than lovely. I bought it new form ebay for...wait for it.....£7.00 including postage. It's actually a canvas stretched on a frame too, rather than the paper print. On the official ladybird website it retails at £92 so yes, I'm very, VERY, happy with it! It's hangiing in K's room I'm very tempted to buy more as they really are something special. I've got quite a large ladybird book collection.

jw I see from FB you've got a Ladybird print - what are they like?? Are you pleased with it? I've been tempted for ages now and keep forgetting. Tell me it's lovely so I can spend with confidence

Elle Macpherson ha ha ha ha I think my single thigh may be as big as her waist JJ

CSA = Joke.

I second the Sodium Laureth Sulphate info - can't touch the stuff! I'm loving the 'Halo n' Horns' stuff for kids. I've started using it myself - it's lovely and they do a breakdown on their website of what's in it and what's not, with detailed explanations. I remember seeing a programme on the woman who came up with the idea and how someone mentored her through it all - always thought she was worth championing!

hedgepig a shower is definately glamour - plus with all that cycling I reckon you've got a body like Elle Macpherson

bellatrixiata I think we all notice that huge gap before you see the midwife - feels like you should be getting lots of attention lavished on you and actually it's all very laid back! Freecycle - atta girls - that's what we did along with NCT sales and ebay!

bonzo yep, Verity is very disinterested in the boob Oh well at least my boobs are back to being small if not quite as pert as they were! Your poor sis - and at her ex. Dp is on the case - but it's clearly a mess over at that deptartment - probably too much work, no time, decent wages or respect! Or it's a load of monkeys

jw YAY for crawling backwards!

Oh and I just remembered, I only found out a couple of months ago that teenagers aren't given the BCG in schools anymore

hedgepig nope. He won't remember the party. By then he'll have been out of school for 3 weeks. A lifetime to a child I won't remind him if you don't! We'll make it up to him by taking him to the park instead.

tee just to give you an idea about TB, the hospital where K was transferred to in Manchester routinely gives all asian babies born there a TB jab. I think if you are white you can request it too. That hospital covers a lot of inner city deprived areas.

morning, I've had a shower does that make me glamorous??? , it is not a word that has ever been used to describe me.

Interesting about the sodium laurel phosphate Bonzo I can't touch and Johnsons products could it makes my hands sting (so obvioulsy I don't use it on my children) maybe that's what is doing it.

JW will DSS remember the party if you don't mention it?

Ollie is still full of cold he has just fallen asleep so I must rush around and do job...or maybe more coffee .

OMG after Adam ate half a bottle at 6? He fell back to sleep until 10!! As I was falling asleep as well, here on the sofa, we both went back to bed! Nice long lie in for the whole family!

JW so glad there isn't tons of panic and that the school understands why you've taken DSS out. If this really does get as bad as they are predicting, it will be the people staying out who are healthy that, IMHO, will really cause things to come to a standstill.

I'll have to agree about floria being the most glamorous. Especially since its 10:30 and I'm still in my nighty and dressing gown!!

dawn thanks for that link. Of course, with my luck, if we do get it, DH and I will both get it and then Adam will get it because there is no one else to feed him!

I had no idea TB was on the rise. I find that much scarier than swine flu!!

Hi and thanks for the welcome everyone! My head is dizzy trying to follow everything but sure I'll get the hang eventually.

Pretty uneventful here (thank goodness), often still forgetting I'm pg till I look in the mirror Tomorrow I get my glucose test (argh I hate needles) and next week FINALLY is my first proper midwife's appt. Feels like I've been left to my own devices for months now, prob only weird after the IVF where I was in and out every week at least once......

Otherwise seeing how much stuff I can get on freecycle before I give in and actually have to start spending money!

jj- not really that big yet. Am still wearing mostly non-maternity clothes (obv the roomier ones!) and have put on 7kg overall, all in the tummy. Am losing weight from everywhere else! 5 weeks to go till due date and counting... Had scan last week, baby estimated at 4 lb 3 oz, which bizarrely puts it on the 5th percentile even though I reckon it'll be about 7.5 lbs (feels the same as the girls did at this stage).

Spoken to school and they were very understanding about DSS not going in. No panic throughout the school at all. Only one other off.

We've decided not to send DSS to the party. Of course we feel dreadfully guilty but hey ho. Better no party than him gasping for his breath a week later.

floria awwwww poor A missing his daddy so much Was he holding onto his trouser leg this morning? sniff*

*bonzo you making the most of this week? What have you got planned?

bonzo thanks. Not everyone knows that Sodium laureth sulphate is nasty. I check everything - everything being shampoo as she bathes in Oilatum (does this contain it? Not checked. OOOps. Assumed not). I wash her face with water only. As for lanolin, would it affect her skin if it was used on something that she sits on but has been washed and dried? Not sure.

K has started crawling backwards. I could see her trying for past few days and she's finally got the hang of it

JW I think the trip to the TC is a difficult one... it would be hard on Dss to miss it... One of the things that my ENT consultant told me was that most virus bugs get killed by mucus in the sinus membranes but if we dehydrate just a tiny bit (2% he said)the membranes dry out and the bugs get in...perhaps if you insist Dss prepares for the trip by drinking lots of water for several days before, has a shower as soon as he gets back and you spray a disinfectant like teatree oil in water round the house you might be able to consider allowing him to go? I must admit that I am concerned but as you say TB is just as rife and worrying( I read a while ago that it is apparently becoming resistant to abs!)
A. did sleep quite well last night thanks.. though a very late nap (due to being too excited about daddys return) meant he didnt go down until 9.45! ... but only woke at 4am and demanded up at 6.00 when Dh gave me an extra hour and a half (bliss!). Dh going off to work this morning was a bit of a trauma though.. tears and cries of "don' go!" (no, not from me, honest!)

Can't help laughing at the "glamourous" tag ...I'm glad no one has suggested a mass meet up as I wouldn't want to spoil the illusion. Actually the friend trained at the RNCM at the same time as me but sadly the voice didnt have what was needed to make it in the business, but she is quite glamourous in a frightfully English/daughter of the colonel crossed with Bohemian sort style... my mother refers to her as the 'butterfly'...I think of her more as a willowy blonde Nigella Lawson.
Oh and meant to say last night to those who feel guilty about los head injuries....try letting it happen twice in 3 days! A. ran round a piece of equipment at gym tots on Thurs, I followed too slowly because he came back rubbing his forehead tearfully saying "head! bump!"... and there was a lump with a bruise forming already! But he didnt want to go home, just let one of the mums (an off duty nurse) look at him and carried on playing...I kicked myself for not watching closer but then on Saturday, we went to pils for dinner, A. ran out of the door into the garden while I was taking my cardi off and promptly fell down 2 stone steps hitting exactly the same place as before!!!..cue lots of screaming (grandmother and aunt as much as A!)... trying to apply an ice-filled towel to the duck egg sized black lump that appeared instantly!...and lots of discussion as to whether a trip to A&E was sensible. He had a comfort bf and a spoon of calpol but showed no sign of sleepiness, wobbliness or problems with vision ...he ate his dinner happily enough and didnt want to sleep until the usual time but I felt/feel like the most negligent mother ever....babies? wait 'till they are toddlers!!!!!!!

morning ladies!

I've decided not to fret about piggie-flu. Bog all I can do about it - just up my inhalers -and keep away from the Drs? Although maybe go and see Asthma nurse soon after sprog is born. I am worried about my asthma as after M was born my asthma went really bad and a dose of a bad cold went to my chest and I ended up in A&E. Had a panic attack there and seriously thought I was going to die. So going to do everything to stop that happening again.

jw - have you used lanolin on K before? I don't have diagnosed eczema but lanolin based anything makes my skin go scaly like a lizard - even just one wash with the dispenser soap at work. Also - not wanting to teach you to suck eggs but have you checked K's washing stuff for things containing sodium_laureth_sulphate ? It actually opens up the skin surface, deoils it and makes eczema more likely ... and it is in loads of baby stuff (Johnson and J for example) and all this other crap.

jj is the little one still off the boob? It's really sad to have it come to an end. Nice to have your body back though - and 14 months is brill! Also - fancy swapping places with my sister re: the overpayment? Her xP is now £15,000 in arrears with the CSA (no proper payement since August last year) - but as he pays £100 quid now and again he's not considered an urgent case to chase!!!!!

Shameless x post

Sam went to sleep about 2000 last night, I think he was exhausted. Woke up at 0030, 0230, 0400, 0600 and 0700. I actually got some sleep as I went off soon after he did Am feeling a little better now not looking forward to tonight though!

As for Swine Flu the ABM are saying if you are breastfeeding carry on. If you get the flu you will start to develop anti-bodies which will be passed to your baby.

Information here for our bottle feeders (from the USA).
Here from the NCT it gives some info on breastfeeding as well.

Couldn't find any info for older children sorry

WorriedAboutItAsWellTiggaxx

I think it's unanimous - floria IS the most glamorous amongst us here! *hands floria sparkly crown, some Manolos and a glittery handbag

jw I'd willingly take the cash - but it's such a huge, random amount. I've put it away (in an off-shore Cayman Island account )but it makes you wonder just how much they're going to ask for back

Think TB isn't addressed because it raises cultural/ethical issues. The UK doesn't require people coming from abroad with visas to have any vaccinations - unlike many other countries. It would basically be seen as a 'dig' at poorer places such as Pakistan and parts of Africa. It's always being talked about here and one primary school has called for injections as parents are home schooling!

The girls are mad as March hares today - like horses in a field with the wind up their tails!!

Morning all

Well, 9.30 till 1.30, then another feed at 4.30 and then sleep from 6.30 till now isn't too bad, is it? Esp cos I went to bed at 9.30 which was lovely

JJ and JW I was to see the nasty TB jab scab on my 10 month old niece at the weekend but DSis reminded me they live in Brixton and it's recommended at something like 3 months! Was the same when we lived in Harlesden, although I didn't opt for it. TB has re-entered the UK with people coming to the country from places which never got rid of it, so anywhere with large immigrant populations living in small spaces (ie. most places in or near London) is now advising the jab for babies.

Floria what did your Italian friend do to make the babe sleep? Could it have been your housecleaning exertions with A in sling which wore him out? . Glad DH is back and got a big welcome.

hedge ta for nappy sites. Thus far JW's advice has done the trick but the bigger nappies my sis gave me are different so I will acquaint myself with all possibilities! They are enormous compared to disposables - makes A look like a teletubby - but then that's what we all used to look like, with the added horror of pink frilly plastic pants in my case.

Ah, the sleeping has finished, must go to feed angry baby. He has had sticky eye for 5 days now and cleaning it with cool boiled water and squirting breast milk into it when I have a chance seems to have down nowt. Will ask HV when she comes for her first visit this am.

l8rs xx

Aye, TB is on the rise. Frighteningly so. Funny hows it's not reported though. Prolly not scary enough to make the news !!!!

JJ Trafford Centre is air conditioned AFAIK.

I do not have any glamorous friends - apart from floria

Oh I did think of you y'day floria and your DH coming home and how A would be. Bet A slept soundly last night with daddy on the night watch

JJ if you've got a surplus of money you're not happy with, I'll happily accept it on your behalf!

Morning all. Oooo, Jw life on an unihabited island has a certain appeal at the moment!
I think you'll be ok in the Trafford centre - it's not like a classroom or hospital when the air change is limited or via air con. Much of the news surrounding the virus is because people are waiting to see if the strain gets worse. The little girl who died is quite close to us - West London. To be honest, round here I'm more concerned with looking into TB than swine flu as TB is literally rife. There is talk in our local council that we can have TB jabs for the under 10s as it's alarmingly prevalent.

floria Awwwww, it sounds like A may have experienced his first crush! So cute. And the happy return of daddy is lovely. I second mrsB .....there's an underlying glamour there! I have glamorous friends....they just don't come round these days!!!

tab HELLO! How's it all going?

hedgepig cheers for the tip - we have now written. It's bonkers - it really is - they've totaly ignored what put on the form. I mean if we were entitled to that amount of money we'd be earning practically nowt! Hope O is feeling perkier.

Oh and on the lanolin front - I'm highly allergic...well, I am if it's in cosmetics and I certainly flared when I used Lanisoh. I think I'm ok to cuddle a sheep though

MIL has Iris today - so it's so the shops for me and Verity...boring chores and the bank.

I'm not panicing btw. I'm trying to think of ways that we can reduce our chances of getting it. I mean, realistically, we can't take DSS out of school until March 2010! I think basic hygiene of washing hands, covering nose/mouth when coughing and sneezing etc etc is all you can do. Only other option is to go and live a solitary life on an uninhabited island

tee pleased to hear that A has got himself into something akin to a regular pattern of nocturnal sleeping

Trafford Centre is a mall. A large one at that.

Morning all

LO slept from 12 - 3 and 3 - 6...so I think we are back to our 3 hour pattern! He's back asleep now after some food.

JW that would scare me as well. But, again, there ain't much you can do about it. Other than keep her at home, which you were planning on doing anyway. I don't have any advice about the party that DSS is invited to. I don't know what Tafford Centre even is!

floria sounds like a lovely visit with your friend. I don't think I could recreate that sling on my own, fabric and I do not get along!!

tab I guess I just don't worry about things like that. I can see why people would worry, but to me, its a waste of energy. There is no way to block it, as its in the air, and really no way to prevent it. I am sure I will be horribly frightened if Adam or I or DH gets it, but to worry about catching it? Nah.

hedgepig that's exactly it. Thousands die every year from regular flu and we never hear about it because they are usually pensioners. The death rate of Swine Flu is tiny!

Oh lordy mrs just read what you wrote about lung and flu That frightens the life out of me for K as her lungs are already damaged.

Myself and DH has decided to cancel today's eye appointment. It's not necessary and the eye exam has shown that her eyes are fine so far. That clinic gives me the shudders when there's no bugs flying around. Talk about dregs of the earth..............

So day 1 of DSS being off. Bless him. He said to me last night 'I'll keep my uniform for Friday when it's play day'. He thinks he can just pop in for the nice day Had to explain to him it's for all of the week......and I've just remembered, once of his classmates has a b'day party at Laser Quest in August (Trafford Centre). Dunno whether to just send the card and gift with an apology (send this weekend so he can invite another child?). Or is that really mean on DSS? I feel awful now but places like Trafford Centre must surely be breeding grounds for bugs? Oh cack. It's a dilemma!

Well DH finally reached the finale of Torchwood but I missed the last one as I fell asleep. He seemed to enjoy it though.

There's a story on DM about a 72 year old trying to have IVF. Not read it yet but made me smile. Goold ol' DM! hehe. I think there's a story above it about a 45 year old who 'left it too late to have a baby'. They're bonkers over there!

aww floria how lovely

still sounding v glam though, with the visiting Italian domestic Goddess and all.

/compares own life to Floria's and finds it seriously wanting for glamour...

As usual it has taken ages to catch up. What a weekend for taking down Ambies (been there, done that) and selfweaning from the nork (sorry for you JJ...but beginning to think that is better than having a 21 month old who still wants feeding day and night without a sign of getting disinterested)

JW Good decision....best play safe for both their sakes the consequences of not doing dont bear thinking about

Tee I hope your sling does the trick.if not, I used a home made version of this cost me £5 in stretch jersey from the market...Alex slept and fed in it,just loved...I used it as a sun/light shade over his pram when out...as a picnic blanket...and I still occasionally use it with him on my back now!

Heron Glad lo is ok, dont beat yourself up...my GP told me you wern't a parent until you had let them fall off the bed at least once

Herb Congratulations!!!! Your induction sounds just like mine for the first part...fortunately my lo never got into difficulties but I was warned in the beginning that there was a risk that it could have gone exactly as yours did (he was head down but wasnt engaged). Ditto JJ about does it get back to normal...no I'm now permantly wiping tears from my eyes
for one reason or another....but it is better than the alternative.

Dawntigger Hope everything settles quickly

Bella Welcome and congratulations...I had my DS at 43, he's now 21 mths old. I hope the next few months go happily and uneventfully

Just had a weekend of madly trying to clean the house for visitation of old pal who has been living in Italy for 10 yrs (she's a domestic godess of the highest order and I didnt want to blush at the state of my home in her presence)...we had a fab afternoon of reminicing and laughing and A was absolutely entrance by her...need her to visit more often because he miraculously SLEPT! from 7.45pm-5.00am! and then went back off after a feed until 7am!!!!! Never before...and knowing him polly never again (until he's 14) 'twas amazing!!!!! And this morning we went to pick up Dh from the airport...and A was soooooo thrilled to see his daddy again...he ran to greet him squealing and just hugged him for absolutely ages...it was beautiful....I cried

Tab I am concerned about the LOs but not sure what you can do apart from hand washing, the death rate at the moment isn't as high a "normal" flu it's just that doesn't get the headlines like the Swine flu does. I just saw the news and a GP has died as well.

Right it is off to bed time.

OH forgot to say Dawntigger I hope the milk is flowing better.

You are not the only one who is worried tabitha I am not panicking over it but I admit if I wasn't worried about this I would be worried about something else.

Problem is it will be so widespread and apparently penetrates deeper into the lungs than normal flu viruses so can cause very serious damage.

Still, could be worse - could be the parents of one of those 18yr old boys killed in Afghanistan.

On that maudlin note...

Lanolin is a common ingredient in lots of moisturisers including those for dermatitis and eczema sufferers. I was recommended woollen socks for eczema on my feet! Unfortunately I can't use lanolin-based products on my face or on key eczema flare-up areas but it is supposed to be good for that too.

heron sounds like your scary fall experience has got you fretting. . Can you have a gin or a bar of chocolate (ask MrsB to lob you some) to help you get a bit cheerier? Hope your LO has a restful night and you wake up refreshed

JW The nappy trick worked, thank you. I know it seems obvious but I'm a novice...

night night all. baby went down at 9.30 and I have no idea how long it will last...

Congratulations, Herb. Phew that it all turned out well in the end, but very scary for you.
I confess, I am worried about pig flu. Am I really the only person around who is? All my mates seem unconcerned. Tamiflu isn't licenced for babies and isn't a cure anyway. Keep calm, Tabitha, keep calm.

Ermintrude that's very intereting he has leked I have never had a leak form a cloth nappy ony disposable ones.. Any way there is splendid advide on lots of different nappies on the nappylady site here and here the download instructions (number 1) with photos are brill.

Herb well done you and hello Samuel, it must have been totally freaky but it all turned out in the end. As the lady who ran a refresher birth class I went to said "sometimes babies need rescuing" I found that a really powerful though after being in such a mess over DS1s birth for too long. We had emergency button pressed a couple of time with O with the room filling up with medics but he perked up and came fine in the end.

Heron poor LO and poor you. I'm sure he will be fine the bounce very well, only today I looked at O as I left him on the bed thinking this is a stupid thing to do....I still did it but from tomorrow I will not do it again.

Bella hello why on earth would we slap you? I am very at you 8 yr battle to get treatment, that is totally pants.

Duchess not long to go now 'til the lO arrives.

JJ well done on meeting a nice person, see they are out there. Re; the tax office don't ring wrire (recorded delivery) and end you letter with a phrase along the lines of "I will assume that if I don't hear form you within 14 days that this money being paid to me is not a mistake and is mine to keep" that should get a reply . It worked with DH and the tax office anyway

O has been off colour with a cold all day he has finally nodded off, he looks so sad with his sniffy nose.

Evening ladies.
herb oh WOW....what a story - I've SO pleased you both came through it ok. I really, really know how that feels....that moment when you realise something is wrong and it's all out of your control. Excellent news that your both home and well....gorgeous name too Oh and as to your question "does it ever feel normal" ...well, sort of, just that 'normal' becomes 'different' You'll probably end up weepy over everything....even when the hormones settle!! Well done xxxx

erm I think 'sod the cleaning' should be included in all NCT classes and literature! I think a Robert (evil step-brother of David Tennant) Peston-style round up of daily politics would indeed be lovely...if you could see to that then - excellent

jw sounds like a sensible agreement to me, especially as your DSS could do without catching it. I agree that the media has a lot to answer for in whipping everyone up into a frenzy. I think it's because it went very quiet and then suddenly it's a reignited story. It's times like this one needs to avoid the DM AND the ITV news!!

bonzo your darling M sounds gorgeous - bless her.

hedgepig thank goodness you called in - I was worried that you'd got lost or popped your clogs! Are you thinking of perhaps doing the Tour de France next year

duchesse eek..smelly teenagers..poor you! How is your girth these days? Are you fit to pop?!

Right - another early night beckons.

Well the Lasinoh has lanolin as the main ingredient in it so I can use it for lanolising wool. I've got 2 lambskins (car seat and stroller) and hopefully some nappy wraps to come. Glad I didn't throw it away now

Not heard of it for eczema must admit. K's eczema is really very dry skin which I treat with aqueous cream and Oilatum so it never gets to the bleeding stage, thankfully. Will remember for future reference though! Thanks.

now this is interesting. here

tee i got a tube of lasinoh as well. that i never used cos never did get cracked nipples. phew!

JW I just remembered...on my June thread (I think it was) someone asked what to do with an unused tube of Lasinoh and someone suggested using it on eczema! Apparently it works nearly as well as steroid cream. My unused tube is waiting for DH for his next flair up. Perhaps it would work for K?

tee i hope ur right. and i guess worrying wont help anything.

still dreading winter...

sorry being too negative!

am worried for the LOs.

Isn't it said that flu pandemic of 1918 caused more deaths to soldiers in WWI than the actual war did?

For myself, I'm not that worried. Just the LO's. I did have a moment of thinking that praps it'd be better for him to catch a mild form of it but then thought no. His chest isn't that brilliant and can't take that risk.

tee totally agree with you though on the scaremongering (anyone remember avian flu? Thought not )

mrsb you sound like you're ready for cracking open a bottle of something cold and putting your feet up. Did it all go pete tong today?

ermintrude hope the nappy works and it keeps all the wee wee where it should be One of the ladies from the cloth nappy thread is letting me loan a wool wrap. New to me. Love the thought of wool but have up until now, been put off by the lanolising but think that my spare tube of Lasinoh will come into use.

bonzo your LO sounds like she'll end up showing the bigger ones a thing or two! That's girls for you though.

arggg I have been trying to catch up all day but there is another page of posts popped up when I wasn't looking, just saying hi in case you thought I was still cycling. Right the washing up can wait I am going to read this page [determined emoction]

JW I totally agree with your decision with K's and DSS' breathing problems.

herb congratulations and so glad everything turned out okay in the end!

heron wanna feel guilt? Have the baby drop out of your arms! Sounds like LO is fine, so I wouldn't stress too badly about it!!

bonzo what a smart girl you have there! Better get her her own Laptop, ASAP!!

Personally I refuse to freak about Swine Flu. All of this 'OMG we're all gonna die' running about is just silly, IMHO. If, as in JW's case, there is an underlying condition, absolutely take extra precautions. And yes I realize the first 'healthy' child just died from it. But there is nothing we can do about it, so I refuse to freak about it. It looks like for most people it will be very mild flu, even this winter.

The real panic, IMHO, is being caused by the word 'pandemic'. Which does not mean 'OMG UNSTOPPABLE AND THE WORLD WILL END!' but Worldwide. It is a pandemic. Its not the TV show 'Survivor'!!!

this makes for sober reading. here

mrsb OMG, little girl died? that is scary. with winter coming up...

herbaceous congratulations - dramatic story but glad you're both okay and home!

heron try not to stress too much about it.

jw didn't know your boy had asthma - deffo keep him home. Just no point in the risk then really is there.

M had her first day in the next room up at nursery. The carers were all marvelling at how clearly she speaks and how many words she knows (esp as they are all 2-3 in there and she's not 2 yet). I said she gets lots of practice (never shuts up). She started messing with my laptop this evening and I said "what are you doing?" "playing mummy's cuter" awwww.

Oh heron don't feel bad, it was a accident and I'm sure it won't happen again. It is very scary when you think about being totally responsible for the survival of a LO and how much you love them.

had a shit day at work, tired and stressed and peed off. Had to have half a boost bar with a cuppa (first resort to chocolate for months) and have a bottle of wine in the fridge that'll help the diet, not.

jw don't blame you for keeping the little fella at home especially as it is so close to the end of the year. I hope the bloody vaccination becomes available soon. A previously healthy little 6 yr old girl died today.

ladies, right now, i am feeling very emotional, mostly because it was my fault LO fell out. got me thinking about life. and how before i became a mum, i took a lot for granted.

ermin LO is fine. i am observing him like a hawk. can see nothing out of ordinary. no unusual behaviour. touch wood. no more lying on my bed unattended!

he has a cough and puked up his feed, all over the carpet! poor baby. poor mummy who has to scrub tomorrow, pronto!

the fun of it all!

herb was looking out for your post! that must have been scary and i am so so glad that all went well. the docs and nurses did their job great and you are all well and now a family! CONGRATULATIONS! which hospital were you in?

so how does it feel being a mummy?

so very happy for you!

The Spanish kids are lovely- They're brother and sister (first time here for the little girl) they've been coming every year for the last four (including a whole term for the boy last year and for his older brother the year before). It just adds an extra school run, more washing, packed lunches and the need to think out activities for them -I normally just let mine veg a bit and do the cooking etc in the holidays. Anyway I asked their parents to arrange for them to go a little earlier this year due do my increasing girth and the need to sleep 20 out of 24 hours during my last month of pregnancy!

ps JW re nappies - aha, you mean put the booster bit in a place where it's actually useful rather than just neatly tuck it up along the whole nappy without rhyme or reason? Why didn't I think of that? Thank you for gently pointing out the bleedin' obvious to my poor nappy-brained self

herbaceous hurray for you and Samuel. So glad it all turned out so well. The staring is very important; enjoy it! .

How's your LO, Heron? Visible bruise? Or playing happily as though nothing happened?

JW May as well avoid the dreaded swine flu as long as you can, what with K being vulnerable and all. As you say, DSS isn't going to miss out on lots of important work and if he's happy to stay at home then everyone's happy.

duchesse will you be glad to have the house to yourselves or were the Spanish guests a delight? Or a bit of both?

JJ So tempting not to tell the tax credit folk, but chances are you'd be one of the ones they find out about, unlike all the people who are ripping off the state deliberately. A friend had the sensible suggestion of each adult having an 'account' with the gvt, based on NI number. Taxes in and benefits out would be dealt with together, so the net difference would be obvious and not require annual filling in of multiple forms which a lot of people probably make a mess of just because they're too busy/not bothered/semi-literate to do it properly. Instead of having the Inland Revenue operating on one hand and the benefits/tax credits system on the other. Makes sense to me.

Gosh, you can tell I'm missing my daily dose of the Today prog; I'll start giving you the political news soon

Welcome Bella and many congratulations! I'm 42 and have DD (11), DS1 (6) and DS2 who was born exactly 2 weeks ago. .

All I've done is feed baby A, one load of laundry, fetch DS1 from school and make the tea while A slept longer than 5 mins. And I don't care! I'm making the most of this last dose of mummy and babyhood and sod the cleaning ./

Robert Peston Ermintrude xx

herbaceous wow! What a birth story. Sounds a bit hair raising for a time there but so pleased that you and baby S are now at home and doing well It's all worth it isn't it? Sounds to me like you're smitten, which is just as it should be.

Aye duchesse we're happy to have him home with us. It will be interesting to find out how many others follow suit. How you diddling anyway? Not seen you around for a while? Sorry to hear about your teenager. It does pass though. For men, when they reach around 60! Sorry, just pulling your leg

Herby!!! Fab news! So glad for you.

Jw- that's definitely the decision I'd make as well. He really won't miss much/anything anyway.

Well, biggest child turned 16 on Friday and seems to be stuck in toddlerhood. My friend reckons that teenage is just like toddlerhood anyway, but he's ticking all the boxes at the moment- temperamental, demanding, attention-seeking, unreasonable. He's driving me nuts! The only upside to his being 16 rather than 16 months is that I can actually expect him to do things...

Also, school's out for the summer. I still have the two Spanish kids here but they're going on Thursday. The last month seems to have flown by.

Hello all!

Thought I'd drop by with the birthing story I thought I'd never get to write. My beautiful baby boy Samuel was born in the early hours of 8 July, by emergency CS. 3.7 kilos, which I think is about 8lb 1oz in old money.

Induced by prostin gel at 4pm, and hyperstimulated, so went straight into painful contractions. All NCT class guff about lavender oil, humming or massage out the window, as it got worse and worse, with no pause between them. TENS machine worked for a bit, but after that gas and air didn't even touch the sides. Blood pressure through the roof, so straight to labour ward, with no poncing about with birthing pools. Wired up to monitor, BP machine and drip. Hideous agony.

After an hour of requesting it, a blessed epidural arrived, which was the biggest relief of my life. In my delirium, I embarrassingly said to the lovely anaesthetist (the appropriately named Dr Breeze) 'aren't you young'.

By then, 3cm dilated. A few hours later, still 3cm dilated, hooked up to syntocin (sp?) drip to speed things up, monitoring clip attached to baby's head, cathether up me fannage, so wired up like a robot.

Then it all went even less right. The baby's heartbeat dipped right down, a machine went BEEEEEEEEEEP, and suddenly the room was full of doctors, saying the baby had to come out NOW. DP was white-faced, saying 'it will be alright', but I was convinced it was all over. We'd got this far only to lose him at the last minute. Thought I was going to be sick.

My epidural was topped up, I signed the consent form with my left hand while being wheeled into the theatre, and 10 mins later Sam was hoisted from my belly. I couldn't see him, as the screen was so close, but after a few agonising seconds heard him cry.

He's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Over the past few hormone-addled days, I've just spend hours staring at him, and crying about how much I love him. I've only just got home, as the hospital wouldn't let me out, both because he had lost too much weight, and because my blood pressure is still through the roof. Pretty hideous, being alone in there for so long, but it was a good bonding time. And now I’m a mum. Does it ever feel normal?

yes, so surprised how time has flown!

actually packed up the amby a week ago

where did the time go?

Well we've spoken to DSS and not done any scaring on him. He wants to stay home with us. He's asthmatic and K has chronic lung disease. I really do not want this coming to us. I know everyone is the same but we've got bad chest city here already. That bad cold/bronchiolitis at the end of Feb this year sent K to hospital so it doesn't bear thinking about.

So, he's staying here with us. Only 4 days left and Friday is play day anyway. No homework, no reading and he's doing nothing in school that is important. Sorted. Gosh, it's not even got going yet. Post September and I reckon the country will come to a stand still with people off work with it (or pretending to have it!).

Think may revise August curfew and bring forward. Online shopping only from now on.

JJ tax credits cock up? Surely not! Makes a change to be overpaid. They'd only find out in a year or so and demand it all back so best to be upfront (unless they insist you keep it - unlikely though). Btw, once you have some sort of diagnosis for Iris (you don't need a statement), you can claim for DLA. You may not got highest component but you will probably get something.

Awww dawntigga righty ho - I also think it's a growth spurt. From personal experience (and boy was Verity a prolific feeder!) this is when I started to pump, in addition to relentless feeding and I found after a couple of days - whooosh - more milk! Plus (and a big one in my book!) I started to stock up my freezer!! Have to say though - it was CBeebies on the box - toys everywhere and a few mates round who didn't mind me looking like a milking machine! to get me through it with DD1!!! HTH xx

jw If it was me - he'd be at home. Schools/kids - they're a germ fest. Usually I wouldn't give a fig but if I had K to think of then for me it'd be a no-brainer for a few days. We've had our first brush - a girl (on my FB) who we see running a playgroup has gone down with it. Sadly she's now in isolation and seriously ill with breathing difficulties as she has, what is the term of the moment - an underlying condition.

Right off to have a scrap with the tax credit office...wish me luck! As much as I'd love to keep the spoils (it's a HUGE sum!) they're getting on my nerves now!

heron glad it was only the carpet. Just keep an eye on him and maybe it's time he didn't sleep on the bed anymore. That time sneaks up on us all .

welcome bella - yes do tell about the 8 years. And you won't need to slap us ... we're all doing it later than the Daily Mail says we should

jw does DS want to go to school? If he does really then I then maybe he should ... last days of school are special (but hten they don't do anything much accademically). You could always make him have a shower and change as soon as he comes in the door afterwards. I do understand about you worrying about K though. But maybe while it is still mild it is less to worry about? Tough call.

tigga sounds like growth spurt! i think it takes up to 5 days. so it should be soon! wont be long hugs to you cos it must be tough.

LO is ok. will continue to keep eye on him.

bella welcome fantastic about your IVF working first time! so whats ur story? tell us 8 yrs you were fighting the system?

i am 43 and have a 5 yr old and a 6 month old

jw dont blame you if you keep ur kids from school. what a nightmare! it is everywhere now isnt it? i am washing my hands a lot more. every time we get back from outside, we all wash our hands.

Bit of a whiney x post all the typo police have fun if you're lurking.

Sam looks like he's trying to feed to go through the night 3 days ago we had a bad night feeding like a demon all afternoon till late. Day after he was so tired he went to sleep a bit hungry I think. Yesterday was the same as the first day and today is identical

Can anyone tell me how soon it takes for your boobs to catch up with a sudden switch in demand like this? He's crying his heart out and he only EVER cries if he's been hurt e.g. injection or hungry. He's draining boobs left right and because I'm a mutant centre Mummy is very upset because Sam is upset!

VeryCloseToTearsTiggaxx

Like the tactics JJ

Ok, big dilemma. First case of swine flu at DSS's school. Am very tempted to keep him away as he's only 4 days left. School recommends sending the LO's in but myself and DH reckon that half the school will be missing tomorrow.

Any ideas ladies? I obviously don't want DSS to be ill but even moreso, I'd hate for K to be ill

Quick pop by as the girls are in a highly demanding kinda mood! We're emptying the toy box!

heron personally I'd just keep an eye on him - you'll know if something doesn't seem right...and if so just go straight to A&E. I did the same with Iris but it was onto a hard floor and I did go to A&E ....but only because it was such a hard bump.

bella HELLO - CONGRATs and welcome to another 40 plus mum-to-be. Like jw said, most of us ahve popped and we hang around like a bad smell!! How brilliant that your first time IVF worked - you guys must be thrilled. I shan't slap you as I only had my DD1 at 41 and then popped out DD2 at 42...amazing how surprising fertile you can be when you're least expecting it Do stay for cake and a chat...and feel free to share aches and pain, moans and worries! x

bonzo arse to the miserable bunch at work.. I had mild SPD at 20 weeks...didn't effect me second time until 2 weeks before cs date.....feels as though your pelvis/hips may just snap! Horrid but I do believe it's hormones preparing for the big parting of the ways!!

OK - I'm off - the girls are demanding my attention. I shall placate them by waving a doll in one hand and a banana in the other

it was carpet and luckily our bed is not high up. LO seems recovered. i am still shaking. i am so stupid to let himcontinue nap on our bed.

Oh lordy heron Poor you Please let us know how your LO gets on.

Hi bella nice to have some more preggie ladies on here as we're running out of them...fast! I wouldn't even try and keep up with the beginnings of this thread (in it's umpteenth reincarnation) Best all round if you just dive in

bonzo glad you're making the most of your last week. Sod the men at the office. Never do owt for them again!

JJ pleased that you met someone nice for a change. All of us here excepted natch

DD#1 has taken to her bed. Not sure if it's the infection in her system or the strong AntiB's. Going to get her a bit of shopping and give him some tea and sympathy.

crumbs heron - was it a hard floor or carpet?

Thanks! And well done for Adam's safe arrival

Also for the licence to slap - my hands might get sore though

welcome bellatrixiata!! Slap away! We have your back! And congratulations!!!! I just had Adam 1 month and 2 days ago at the age of 40.

heron I think that's a good idea.

Hello another newbie here. 40 and 24 weeks after miraculous first time IVF . Not sure how long it'll take me to read the whole thread so I'll just say can I please slap everyone who asks why I left it so long? Yes I spent 8 years fighting for fertility treatment out of choice

ok tee will ring doc

heron I would, just to be safe. When we got Adam there after he fell on the floor everyone said it was the right thing to do.

bonzo He is always either swaddled or at least in a grobag. And today? He's been asleep since about 10am, with one 10 minute wake up for less than half a bottle. Including 2 nappy changes and a trip to Argos and around City Centre! And I thought he had his days and nights figured out!!

erm ooh, I have the first season of that...after I finish West Wing.

god LO fell off our bed! he was napping on it. there were pillows all around him as barriers. he screamed blue murder! he seems fine now. should i take him to a&e?

Ah JJ I'd forgotten you were in grammar school land - my worst nightmare in terms of education because I completely disapprove of selective schools but wouldn't want to make my DC the victims of my high horse attitude, if that metaphor works at all . The choice here (apart from private) is community or faith, and in this neck of the woods the former are just as good as the latter, so it makes it nice and easy for us - no ethical dilemmas or need to sit on priests' faces etc... Heaven forbid. And you're right, it's possible to average great SATs whilst offering an ideal education for children of all needs: it's the range of SATs that counts ie. are bright children without special needs getting top marks and are those who need more help getting much improved scores? So hope you'll get your girls in the good place.

Bonzo Baby likes to wave his arms around and has responded angrily to swaddling thus far but maybe he's just a bit hyper-sensitive to any change of position at the mo. It's weird, he's gone down in his basket for hour or 2-hour naps for the past week but now it's just him and me in the house he's a Klingon. I may try a swaddle next time I get him dozy.

Tee We're getting thru The Wire at a great pace

Hi all, survived soft play AND met someone lovely! I've met her before but through some of the 'mumzillas' however it appears she's as hacked off with them as me! She lives just round the corner too. Maybe I'm starting to throw out the right vibes for meeting nice people.

mrsB wow - good going on giving up the Amby - that's superb news.

tee Sounds like Master A might just want a lot of holding - think once that sling arrives you may be onto a winner.

erm Yep - schools here are tragic - but it's a consequence of the grammar structure. If you're not a feeder school with a high 11+ pass rate then the funding isn't brilliant. A friend is head of a department at a School in Notts just where you are and he said it's amazing and a joy to teach in.
Faith schools here are SO over-subscribed that when I rang around not one child was taken on catchement....ALL had a priest recommendation...and min was 2 years, 3x a month attendance!!!!

I agree though - a good head should really be able to turn the school around but there has been way too much pandering to the problems - siting them as 'cultural' and I think that's wrong. If over 30% of your class disappear to Pakistan twice a year for two months then this HAS to be addressed ...surely? And if violent behaviour is ignored then that too should be stopped. But our local primary school HAS to have police on the gates because the parents are involved in sink estate gang wars. Irony is, exactly 1.2 miles away where Iris goes, the school's SATS run at 100% english / 98%maths /98% science and yep, it's (lower) middle class. But it also has more than average Special Needs and an outstanding Ofsted because of the clever way they deal with this....hence why I'm driven like a mad woman to get her in there!! Oh - the SATS for the local sink school ALL come in at under 32% No chance for social mobility there then..

**climbs of soap box and makes cup of tea....muttering I hate the grammar system, it's private education via the back door grrrrrrrrrr chunter, chunter !!!**

Helllooo all - sounds like you've all had lovely weekends. I had a lie-in today and then a leisurely breakfast trying to catch up with you all. I thought this sprog was going to be a little swine as I had rumbling period-pains on friday evening. Grrr ... was thinking can't you give me even a DAY off? But fortunately they went away and haven't been felt since.
Spent yesterday running round after M in the garden (she was being a wingey little swine) and then could hardly walk all evening as my hips/inside legs where they join my body all seized up and were agony. Is that SPD or just overdoing it? Had a lovely "greek style" BBQ last night with lots of yummy stuff and good friends - just missing the lashings of cold beer and wine (sigh).

Tee and Emrintrude - have you tried swaddling the little ones? I found it great as they feel like they're still being hugged. A friend who had triplets (and a toddler) said when she put a baby down she sometimes put a large book up against their side as it felt like mum's arm was still there!!

jw about the men in schools. My dad took early retirement and went to the local primary school (you will know it) - very deprived area - lots of single parents. He offered to do volunteer work in the classrooms to help with readding and to be a good male role-model for the kids. The school said they'd have to do the checks on him - he said fine and yes of course - he's worked for local government for years. But they didn't do the check and didn't contact him again. Bloody waste of a free offer! In the end Dad went and did a teaching qualification and is now doing it and paid!

dawntigga I lived in Knutsford for a few years and am now in south manchester. Have to say - you haven't made it yet if you haven't BF in Booths

Oh and not really surprised at all about no card from work - bunch of sad-geek selfish git blokes - they'd all just assume that someone else would have done it. Did think maybe the bloke sitting next to me might have done something as it was his 30th a month ago and I arranged a card, helium balloon, signs everywhere and a big cake .... [hmmm] oh well.

mrsb Fab job D!! And I agree with erm send some of those sleep vibes to the AJ's!!

erm there was at least one day last week that I got nothing done because all he wanted was me me me. Hence the buying of the sling, which I hope gets here soon! I watched a lot of West Wing on DVD that day!

mrsb mebbe this is the breakthrough you've been waiting for! Excellent news though whatever it's down to

ermintrude can only think that you've had a leak due to the tuck in fleece liner not being folded over to the front of the nappy (as opposed to lying it flat inside the nappy). Fold over where his willy is - at the front.

He might be a big wee baby so if you have any boosters, put one in too. Microfibre or bamboo are good but anything will do for his size.

Are you using a one way liner on top of your fleece? I normally do. Just so I can stick the poo straight into the loo.

The wrap sounds fine but just make sure the nappy isn't poking out anywhere around the tops of his legs

Mrsb Can D send some big boy sleep message to Adam and Arthur please? 9 til 6!

Hallooo typing with baby on shoulder, this will take ages.

Tee I think our AJs have synchronised watches - those were just about Arthur's hours too! And he won't let me put him down - 1st day sans DH and he's fallen asleep twice but yelled as soon as he's twigged he's not on me. I may get nothing done.

JW I dont think our view are that far apart really. I don't mind experienced MWs of either sex having an opinion but the way it's expressed is key, and a man who seems to be bossing women about labour pain is bound to provoke. I don't object to female docs specialising in the prostate, or rheumatologists with healthy joints, as long as they don't pretend they know what the pain is like.

And of course I'm all for the fantastic interventions and vital medical help that has meant safe deliveries for Katherine, Niamh, JJ's girls and so many other precious LOs

Men in primary schools - uphill struggle, that one. DD has had one (camp as a row of tents and vg) male teacher, and there is one full-time and 1 supply at DS1's infant school but that's a record!

JJ, at your local stats! 3 yrs behind! They really need to get some great head teachers in to whup everybody's asses and start addressing the problems in a radical way. DD has just got her SATs results - level 5 in everything, without consciously trying, like most of her friends. Most of them aren't geniuses; it's just a mostly middle-class catchment in a 'nice' part of town and the parents have books at home and make sure their DC get to school on time. I do understand how challenging some catchments are, but 3 years difference is mind-blowing! . Love your typo - a two-tired system is about right

Cotton nappy question (probably to the expert JW): Day 1 of using Bimbles - the ones with the tuck-in booster, and I put in a fleece liner and used Totsbots size 1 wrap tightly done up but already we've had wee leakage on one side twice! Any tips? Thank you!

tee the second stage milk made no difference to D when I tried it on him (except to cause constipation)I think it is just a phase they go throuogh - he will settle down (only to start up again later )

Well, D slept in his big cot from 9pm til 6am! had a bottle then went back down 'til 8am (when he had another bottle) The Amby is no more!

In York the standard of schools is pretty high (as are house prices ) so we are stuck on the edge of a rough area and hence the catchment area is crap and well, I'm not too sure about the schools. We may have to move...

right, busy busy

Oh lordy, schools are such a hard one and are so hit and miss it's untrue. I was talking to one of the mums this morning asking if her son (in DSS's class) will be going to the local comp up the road where most do go. She's unsure as out of 14 schools in Bury, it's ranked 13. We won't be sending DSS there I hasten to add! However, we're not sure we're guaranteed a place anywhere else so it's really tricky.

One of the overriding reasons I had K christened was because the catholic schools in this area (and the area I lived before with the older LO's) are excellent. Over subscribed, but excellent. Like you say heron it's either faith or private and given the current climate, I'd say not many will be going for the latter.

Have a very exciting day ahead of me...off to Costco and doing some cleaning while madam is in bed, catching up on the zzzz's she missed at 4am. Have to get very organised this week as it's last week of peace before schools break up for the hols.

tee sorry to hear you're having no luck on the stage 2. Maybe your HV will be able to shed more light on the matter. Don't keel over with exhaustion in the meantime

morning all! not raining here, quite bright and warm actually.

schools. the schools around here at terrible. so only options are private schools or church schools.

yes, poor kids are not dumb. they are just not given the right teaching. the stats do not make good reading.

Morning all.

Not too bad of a night, thanks for asking JW. He was up at 2:30 and then again at 5:30 and then up again at 7. He's back asleep now...do you think I dare make a pot of coffee?

The C&G 2 doesn't seem to have made a difference in how long he stays down/unhungry, however. As said before, I will confer with HV day after tomorrow!!

JJ the state of the world's education system scares me. Well, at least America's and here's. I agree, shouldn't it be a priority? But it never seems to be. I know nothing about schools in NI. Research into that is on my to do list over the next few months while I am still on leave.

iris I hope you are getting some more sleep!!

I too, alas, have never snogged etc anyone famous. I have worked with famous people, but never snogged etc them...

Morning all. GOsh - jw must have been something in the air as Iris was up twice and then Verity. It's the land of the living dead here. Was very sticky though.

dawntigga Oooo, what a gal I would of if I'd got the chance back then. Just thinking if I've had a celeb snog....????? Mmmmm? Almost!!

tee hope your night was better.

I heard today that the government are putting money towards more primary school places because of a rising population. Apparently in the last three years the birth rate has shot up. Makes it hard to understand why then, that our local council are about to close three good local schools Makes you wonder what it's going to be like by the time we need places - it's going to be a fight round here as so many people have also dropped the private schools. Just can't understand why education is such a low priority. They say it's not - but you've only got to look at the schools here to see it's such a two-tired system

A recent report from the local secondary school here said that the kids coming up from our local primary are approx 3 years behind the average child That's got to need addressing. I refuse to believe poor kids are stupid. It's got to be to do with the behaviour. Why can't this be sorted????

So many of the playgroups are shut now because of the holidays...grrrr....what DO you do with them all day when it's raining??!

Alas, I have no claim to fame, snogging, f**king, or otherwise. There is not one person you would know if I reeled off a list of who I'd snogged

ermintrude as I said initially, I see what you're saying. Really, I do I think the whole article got off to a bad start the fact it's written by someone i.e. male, that could never understand, empathise or have the faintest notion of how labour pains feel. It's on par with a man writing about abortion. He's really asking for a backlash if he's prepared to be so provocative in his article imho. I'm not gonna say anything else about this as I think I've said all I have to

I see the latest government (doomed) initiative is the drive to get more men into primary schools. It'll never, oh I need to say that louder, NEVER, happen. It's seen a feminine environment like nursery nursing. Most men will not touch with proverbial barge pole.

We have a little bit of sun here today. Helps with the tiredness of dog barking during the night and K wanting a 4am feed. What that was about, I have no idea. Praps something to do with teeth? Mebbe. Who knows? Talking of guessing games...

.....tee how is LO doing? Was your night any better?

mrsb hope you're feeling a bit more chipper for your busy day at work today

iris you still there? Asleep perchance???

morning all thanks for your lovely comments about N. Little madam was up from 10 until 2.45 last night though I'm feeling surprisingly awake at the moment (autopilot then crash & burn later methinks )

ermintrude - haven't read the article but sort of agree with you. I think that cultural/personal expectation has a huge impact on how we cope with labour. I know that the only labour where I had clear expectations was the worst (DS1). Strangely enough though, I count Niamh's as a really positive experience despite having the most extreme intervention possible!!

slings knew I meant to get something out!! Tee enjoy using yours!

dawntigga, Were you a starf*er in your day then, you minx?

JW I'd never try to force someone to have a particular kind of birth, it would be completely counter-productive, and choice is important. But I know several mums who were planning on having pethidin or epidurals and for whatever reason - speedy birth, under-staffed hospital etc. - ended up having a natural labour and they were all pleasantly surprised at how well they managed to cope. They hadn't been confident they could do it at all. (I'm sure there are some mums who are extremely annoyed at not getting the pain relief they'd planned as well).

And MrsB I do see your interpretation of that MW's words and also don't rate the idea that labour is a test you have to pass or suchlike. The post-natal pains I meant were afterpains and all other down-below healing and pelvic floor-related complaints; my SIL has 4DC and only had afterpains once so it must be the luck of the draw.

JJ 14 months is v good going on the b/feeding, but I know what you mean when they 'reject' the breast. Made me very for a little while. DH 'jokes' that I'll be unable to let go of my littlest one and so still be feeding Arthur when he's doing his GCSEs .

Tee hope your sling gives you hands-free time to turn the pages of trashy magazines do household chores

dawn do you know something we don't about Zoe Ball? I think that she's still married to Norman Cook and he's the daddy! Woot @ your claim to fame snogging though

nope, never had post natal pains and ever had Braxton Hicks. I seriously had never heard of it even.

Well, here goes with the first post-Amby night -I hope he sleeps as I have major work-related undertakings tomorrow and for the rest of the week. He should be knackered - he has been extremely boisterous tonight.

tee if a MAN can have an opinion then you bloody well can!

I think the only really difficult time we had with D was when he was about 6 weeks old - he would scream every night between 6 and 10 - it was tiredness pure and simple.

Did someone mention Zoe Ball? I snogged her ex-husband once when he was a Housemartin

UseToBeRockAndRollTiggaxx

Yaya another cranky boy evening! He is so obviously tired, with very heavy eyes, but just.won't.sleep!!! BABIES!!

I guess my take on that article is why feel pain if you don't have to? I am not one to have an opinion, since I had an elective CS with a spinal, but I really don't see the point of suffering if you don't have to.

However, erm this reminds me of the conversation early in the June Thread...whatsheface disappeared just after it, remember?

OMG mrsb you never had post natal pains??? Blimey. When I was b/f I think the afterpains were worse than the labour pains! At least the labour stopped once the baby came out

I'll wait and see what she does with the spoon...it's hard enough getting it past her lips. She's been biting me today. She got the end of my nose and my cheek Also pinching is trick du jour.

Wonder if hedgepig has a sore bottom ?

JJ you're prolly the same as mrsb as you're seeing them grow before your eyes. It is sad but also good and we all know they don't stay small forever (I've just fed my lot and can vouch for it).

Can see what you're saying ermintrude and agree to an extent that labout pains are indeed productive pains. I've had 2 with pain relief (first epidural, second gas & air) and 2 with nowt. As I've said before, I'd never have had an epidural after the first as it caused me so many problems afterwards but gas & air was fine. Also, that was my personal choice. I think that women need the choice to decide. Afterall, you got your choice to have a home birth and no induction. Some women don't have a high pain threshold and if they don't think they can cope and it would make their birthing experience better, then they should have it

JJ sounds like Iris is doing really well with the speech and it's coming along. They really do all get there in the end they just do it when they're ready

Awww mrsb D will be walking soon and then it'll be his 1st b'day and then you'll start thinking, I know, I think it's time for another! yay. Then you can be the first on this thread to have another one...there's a prize in it for you (you win a bouncing baby )

ahh no more nork juice and no more Amby - toddlerhood beckons!

blimey, Iris knows what a cockerel is?? there's not many 2 yr olds would!

Oh more teeth for K - soon she'll be doing the spoon biting trick that D has just perfected. Spoon goes in but spoon doesn't come back out.

cream teas

\drools

I don't disagree with anything you say ermintrude - in an ideal world we would all give birth like that but we don't live in an ideal world.

The point he is making is a different one to yours, I think, I agree with you that natural is better where possible and less likely to lead to interventions but I don't think that enduring hours or days of pain makes you any better a better mum or that it should be a right of passage at the end of which you somehow "deserve" the baby and are better prepared to look after it. No- one ever gets a pain free birth anyway.

I have never had post natal pains however- never even heard of it!

Evening all. Wow - we had such a lovely day. Iris was unusally chatty and came out with a classic line "Look Mamma that cockerel is eating an apple" I turned round...and bugger me - there was indeed a cocekrel eating an apple The cream teas were marvellous too! Oh I love Oxfordshire...so near - yet so unaffordable!

JW more teeth - excellent. Verity still only has 5 with another just making its way through. Sympathies for you having to suffer F1 followed by cricket...pur-lease!

iris she's gorgeous and really alert and sparkly! Oh I hate it when that deep, stubborn tiredness kicks in.

tee Yee ha that you got chance to catch up on some sleep.

mrsb hope you finished the chores
Can't comment on childbirth pain....all I know is C-section two was marvellous but emerg cs was horrendous and the pain lasted long after a traditional childbirth.

I feel a tad sad. I offered Verity some nork juice tonight and she was having none of it. I know she's only been having some in the evening but now it's clearly not for her. It's good that she's happy - almost 14 months and I've really surprised myself. Didn't expect to be feeling quite so sad about it....silly moo!!

iris lovely babies, and your girlie looks so serene and cute in her blanket

heron yay for dry nights

mrsb I wouldn't have worded it quite like that but agree with the basis of what the midwife chap said (so sue me ). For me, childbirth x 3 hurt but it wasn't 'agony', was forgotten immediately afterwards and my recovery was quick. A lot of interventions are used because we're so unprepared for labour pain, just like we're not culturally prepared for breastfeeding, having lost touch to some extent with the way our bodies work. Pain with a purpose - ie. now the uterus is contracting, now the cervix is effacing, now the urge to push arrives, now the head is crowning - and then hurrah, the baby is born and the pain is over except for the post-natal pains everyone has to deal with, however they labour - is not like being a martyr to a migraine for days on end. When women are tired and upset and not progressing it's a different matter and banning pain relief would obviously be crazy, but there are a lot of healthy women who are just terrified at the notion of labour and who therefore opt early on for interventions which can end up causing more damage and delay than working through a natural labour would.

/ ducks as the shoes come flying towards my head

tee the sling you ordered looks very much like the one i have. it is so easy to wear!

Hi All

I've been asleep most of the day. Thank god for my DH!

jw more teeth! Yayaya K!

iris beautiful babies you make, girl! I'm right there with you on the lack of sleep thing.

mrsb sniff at putting the Amby away. They grow up so fast!

he has the same blanket anyway whether in the Amby or cot so we have the smell thing covered jw. He is asleep now in the cot quite happily so when he wakes the Amby goes.

makes me a feel a teeny bit sad putting it away forever

He's probably like all the men I know; a cold is the flu and reaches for a painkiller at the first twinge of a headache. If it was up to men, we'd have died out thousands of years a go.

That's like me writing a piece on premature ejaculation !

Oh mrsb a sad time that he's going to the big boy's cot. He'll get used to it. Can you put the sheets from the Amby into his cot (in with him, not stretched to fit the mattress) so he has a familiar smell? Just until he gets used to it

Enjoy your housework. I'm waiting for the big 'uns descending to eat dinner.

Shizzle.

what a load of toss

pain in labour makes you better prepared for the demands of motherhood?? does it buggery.

I love that its a man writing this...

afternoon all

Am quite literally deluged under a pile of housework. Have been sorting laundry and trying to regain control of the ridiculous amount of clothes in my bedroom, not helped by the two cots taking up loads of space. Bit of a arse having to spend the weekend clearing up the chaos that builds up during the week.

Have decided that the Amby is being dismantled this very day (sob) and we will all just have to suffer until the little man accepts his fate.

Iris N looks beautiful - and looks so alert!

Will be back later to catch up!

Awww iris she is so beautiful. Lovely dark hair and her eyes open. Pics like that are dangerous to me...make me broody.

Going through that sleep deprivation stage too? You and tee need a chat (if either of you are awake long enough!)

I couldn't do a day with my mother so well done you for biting lip until she'd gone

Sounds very positive that she's feeding so well. Keep up the good work

K has a way to go to catch up to D (he is the teef master ) but she's not doing bad. I'm hoping that soon enough she'll be able to bite through something instead of sucking all of her food to death!

Hi all - sorry for not posting - veeeeeeerry tired. N sleeps really well though how much is due to the residue of anaesthetic or not I don't know. Just grateful. 3 hourly feeds hten sleeping is good.

Neddie - just got rid of my mum - know what you mean about matricide. Bless her she meant well but was driving me (and DH)absolutely nuts.

jw - more teeth!! - blimey they're coming thick and fast! well done K!

making flapjack & muffins with DS1 whilst DS2 sleeps (times like these I really resent his allergies - oh for being able to bung a digestive at him! )
have put pic on profile. take care all x

tee glad that you're gonna talk to HV. It's hard suggesting things when can't see what he's doing and when he does it! At least she'll see him first hand (when of course he'll be as good as gold and not cry or wake up until the click of the door catch on her way out )

Those slings were the type I meant. Hopefully it'll do the trick (fingers crossed)

JJ sorry to hear the the girls didn't give you a Sunday lie in. You need to have a firmer chat with them as part of the stay-up-late-saturday-evening-deal. Enjoy the donkey's.

F1 rules here today as both DH and DS#2 are watching it. Boring as hell matched only by an afternoon of cricket. Oh! roll on football season

Just been crossed examined by the woman in Boots who sold me a bottle of sweet almond oil who then went on to tell me that it wouldn't fit through the hole of the squirty bottle I also bought. I explained that I mix it with camomile tea and use it on K's bottom. I'm not sure if she looked at me with amazement or disgust. Praps a combination of the two.

Ok. News of the day; K has another 2 teeth! Didn't even know until DS#2 was getting her out of her car seat and told me. Strange though as they're next to the bottom two that are already through. No sign (that I can see) of the front top ones. Will check later. Prolly why she was off her milk last week. Awwww she looks so cute

Thanks for all of the suggestions, everyone. DH took over all morning, after Adam fell hard asleep about 8, and I went back to bed!

I don't think its colic. My niece had colic and she cried for hours. He cries for minutes and then calms down if you walk with him/rock him. I think he just likes being held!

He's actually asleep in his amby right now and he was all morning as well. The HV will be here Wednesday so I will speak to her about it.

I went ahead and ordered this sling. It wasn't very expensive and I figured I'd give it a go!!

Afternoon all - just stopped - WHY am I so blinkin busy at the moment??

tee not much to add to all the wonderful suggestions...except to say that Verity was one of those babies that wanted to be held all the blinkin time. Boy, I wasn't prepared for that as Iris was an independant little soul.
Hope you manage to get to the bottom of it. Could just be colic/wind as this often kick in when baby starts to eat more....think of eyes being bigger than their belly!!

jw the girls certainly didn't sleep in Although DP did get up and do the breakfast run! Didn't see the car crash TV interview last night. I used to work with Piers Morgan - have an real problem with him - he's got even smugger with age! Can't bear K Price either. Like Zoe ball though and I think it's lovely she preggie again. Swwwweeet, and she's just started her Radio 2 prog as well. OOoo, we could do her Maternity stint...what do ya reckon? A couple hours of chatting about nothing, reading some letters and popping on a few Cds....piece of cake

hedgepig hope the 40 miles passes in a flash and you make it out alive!

bonzo how are you doing?????
iris how is baby-life?
heron congrats on a dry night

OK - off to a farm to see some chickens and donkeys....fingers crossed it doesn't rain.

ermin DS1 was dry last night! yipee!

tee you must be so tired. i got the babysense sling and it mimics them all snug in womb. thats prob what he is looking for. bless him.

tee I've just thought on, have you been to your local baby clinic yet? If not, then praps take him along and there will be someone there who can give you advice and you don't need an appointment. I realise you have 2 days holiday there in NI but maybe when things get back to normal later in the week

Ohhh...He's one of those babies that won't be put down DS#1 was the same. I remember cooking dinner with him in his sling tied to me. Highly dangerous but I was at my wits end.

You can either do one of two things I guess; put him down and let him cry and hope he gets the message (although I could never let a young baby cry as I think that they're not that clued up enough to be able to 'play' you), or try out one of the baby slings. Not like the baby bjorn but more like the natural position next to you but in a sling like these. Only problem being that if he still doesn't like it then you've shelled out for something else you won't use. Do you know anyone who has one that could let you use it for a couple of days?

You know when he's crying, is he bringing his knees up to his tum? If he is, it could be colic. My DD#1 had terrible colic for 3 months (hence the name '3 month colic'). I tried pretty much everything although I think you can get stuff prescribed from your GP nowadays. Back then it was Infacol and copious amounts of gripe water.

If he's not bringing his knees up his food might not agree with him as hedgepig suggested. It might be worth changing him to Aptamil or SMA. First, I would speak with your HV or practice nurse or even your GP. Something isn't agreeing with him for sure and you're knackered while you figure it out. No one tells you that having a baby is a problem solving exercise 24/7 did they? No? No one told us either

Big shout out to bonzo!! Are you staying in bed until your CS or coming to tell us how many ways you've found to slob out on your last week before LO comes

Morning!

JW he seemed better windwise last night, but he just wouldn't settle. I think I slept a total of 2 hours in a row all night. DH took over about 6:30 and I slept another 2 hours. And mow he's still not settled!

The real problem is that he wants to be held all.the.time. Which is only a problem because I have arthritis in my hands and arms and after a while it hurts. I just took some ibuprofen, which is helping. And I've now ordered another sling to try, as he doesn't seem to really like the Baby Bjorn for too long!

Okay, Sir Cranky is up. BBL!!

tee DS2 used to be really windy too. it would take around 10-15 mins to wind him, to get all the air out. a real hassle. but they do outgrow it thank god.

hedgepig good luck with your bike ride! my DH is a real bike fanatic. you watching tour de france?

morning all! jw yes DS1 used to be so wriggly. i used to dread changing a pooey nappy cos with all the wriggling, it was very messy indeed. i ended up having to lie him on the floor (with change mat on floor) and use one of my legs to kinda hold him down so i have 2 free hands. it was a real fight at times, with him screaming his head off and twisting.

it's not supposed to be so bad here in the East Jw it should have stopped raining by 9.00 when we are starting. It's looking a bit black at the mo though

hedgepig glad that I'm not alone, wandering the quiet streets like one of the undead.

Good luck with your bike ride today. You're a very brave hedgepig, especially given the forecast. Get your waterproofs and a flask out, dear!

morning! O was up at 5;45 ugg plus 2 wakes in the night for some reason.

Sounds like good value tea JW.

Morning all.

K woken at 6.30 due to one of the 'day' nappies being put on for bed and she ended up a bit wet. Ah well, no lasting harm apart from mummy who is still tired.

I meant to add y'day that I popped into ASDA last week and they have a promotion of Twinings teas. In Tesco they're £2.27 a box but in there, the offer is just a £1. I bought Assam, Lady Grey, Early Grey, Chai, and Traditional Afternoon. The only ones I couldn't find were Darjeeling and Lapsang Souchong but I didn't look very far tbh.

tee how you getting along with Sir Windypops? Any better last night? I used the Infacol on K when she was super windy (I think it was the Nutriprem that did it) and it never made any difference. But it's always better to try these things and see how you get on. You may have more success than us

Has anyone else got a wriggling child when they come to have their nappy changed? K screams and turns over and makes it almost impossible. It's like dressing a ferrett.

JJ did the girls sleep after their beer tasting session? Or left wanting more Pringles from the Pringles Dealer?

Did anyone see the Piers Morgan interview last night with Katie Price/Andre/Jordan? It was obviously done to get her side over as it seems her soon to be exDH is winning the popularity stakes. I think she shot herself in the foot. She came across as an unemotional harlot to me. Dragging a MC out to the nation for sympathy is beyond the pale imho.

See that Zoe Ball is pregnant. Well her done...I think she's been trying for ages.

We do that hedgepig. He's just a very windy boy!!!

hey JJ you are only 71.18 miles from me south of Cambridge, maybe we could meet in the middle although I have no idea where I don't go "south" very often.

A busy day at hedgepig hallow although I'm not quite sure where all the time went. I have just finished fitting a bike computer (well a glorified distance measurer really) to my bike in readiness for our final big practice of 40 miles tomorrow. I must make a Will before I go to bed

Tee would he cause a big fuss if you tried to wind A part way thorough the feed? He would have less milk on top of the wind and so may not be as sick also if he does conk out he would have at least got some wind up? It may be worth trying a different brand of milk (still stage 1).

night ! jj

Evening all. Just sat down...girls were demanding a late night!

Went across the road to the 'beer festival' where the home brew was deadly but the homemade Thai burgers were delish! Iris and Verity enjoyed some Pringles!

jw good to hear K enjoyed the curry - atta girl Yes, bugger the small problem of being 191.08 miles away (can you tell I looked that up?!) otherwise I'd be over your way like a shot, for coffee, cakes, some jolly japes and getting up to some derring do!

neddie your life does indeed sound WAY out of the ordinary. Something makes me suspect that you really wouldn't be able to hack a desk job I adore your wonderful descriptions of horsey sex life, I feel so ignorant, so sheltered! Hope you're not tempted by the Oxytocin! Are you managing to get time with DP?

erm blimey, your Fiat must look bad! Good that you got a chat though. Sounds like Arthur is fitting in nicely with operations over at ermtowers

heron no - not Hammersmith - keep going west a bit.....and a bit further....and a little further on the A40/M40 until about 20 mins past Shepherds Bush you get to High Wycombe! So close..ish!

Ok all - that's me probably off to bed - bit of an early start...night, night x

ermin yes, 5 nights is good going. so tonight he is in pants again. am prepared for more washing tomorrow. but will stick with it for 2 weeks! am tempted to give away the pull ups in the house. so no temptation to go back to them!

mrsb i agree with you, my DS1 is like that. school food is so delicious he says. i cannot believe it. he says he eats everything! including brocolli. at home, he is reluctant to try anything new! i have given up cooking anything new!

mrsb what is the error message? And yeah, I've been thinking about infacol, we'll see how he does over the next day or so. I'm still trying to decide about C&G 2 over C&G 1. He's been eating a bit better today.

tee I am trying to upload a video onto utube but it keeps giving an error message at the end - any ideas on what the problem might be?

u could get A that stuff - Infacol - it puts a lining on their tummy that makes wind come up much easier - it's not a drug either it is inert so you can give it to them without worry.

tee the Dr Browns actually stop them taking the air in the first place. The bottle has some invention type device in it that kinda takes the air away.

Anyway, thought you'd already know about these since they came from across the pond

JW I am using the Tommee Tippee anti-colic bottles at the moment. I think he is vomiting because sometimes my DH spends less time than he should winding him. I think he threw up yesterday because I was so tired, I forgot to wind him at all. I've done that before. He eats, he falls asleep and I'm so tired I just let him. I am trying to do better on this!

Hmm, booze in the bottle...

Oh dead on jw I always find a good old glug of booze in the Avent bottle gets them to sleep a treat! Hopefully Mr D will be having some naan shortly.

heron D eats different things in different places - it seems that virtually anything the nursery puts in a blender goes down a treat while my lovingly prepared stuff is vigorously rejected. He likes something called grandma's Sunday lunch wot comes in a jar (yeah, I should probably get my coat) and he will try things off my plate. He is still a big fan of the ould bottle of milk though and probably wouldn't ask for anything else.

ooops smell burnign must go!

tee all I can say is to your DH. What do you think is making A vomit? Could it be wind? Ask your HV if he keeps it up. I can wholeheartedly reccommend the Dr Brown's bottles for windy babies. K was terrible on her milk when she first came home and would writhe in agony with it. The bottles really do help (although they are a bit dear).

As for babies ages I have 2 ages running in my head; her actual and the one I adjust to She's almost 14 months old now. In a word, weird.

Well K had a bit of rice, naan bread and some korma sauce. Seemed to enjoy it but not looking forward to the nappy tomorrow Good start for nights out though. I think she enjoyed that 6 pints of carlsberg in her bottle just to get the party started too

Sister was persuaded to take train so DH fetched her and I found out train times back (she hadn't had time) and actually we had a jolly old chat so all was well. Even her DP saw that the Fiat might not make the journey.

heron 5 nights in a row is good going, I'd stick him on a bedmat (not even under the bottom sheet so you don't need to wash anything and see how he goes. My DS was nearly 5 when he stopped wetting at nights; it's not at all unusual.

Neddie your life sounds like sth out of a Jilly Cooper novel

Tee glad your DH is still employed and as you say, this might all work out for the best - hope so!

mrsb I'd like to try not running around for dear sis but when she sits there with huge 10 month old baby and I have a small portable one there wasn't much chance of that. But DH helped and so did my DC. In theory I'm with you on getting people to look after themselves though, however alien that might be for them.

Arthur yelling, must go /waves at JW, JJ, Floria, Bonzo, Duchesse and anyone else who virtually knows me

mrsb me too, they get more interesting. thats for sure! and hopefully easier! but there is something special when they are so new and little!

what does he like to eat?

Blimey it seems no time ago you were saying he was 12 weeks heron

I like it better when they get past the six months mark...

tee oh i hate it when my LO vomits! yesterday i finally had enough and took out the stiff brush, some water and a big old towel. scrubbed all the dried up milk stain on carpet! looks good as new now. our flooring has taken a lot of crap! esp when DS1 was potty training! now it is milk vomit from DS2! will need to get it steam cleaned soon. only had it done a few months ago.

neddie love your horsey descriptions

mrsb wow, 10 months old my LO will be 6 months old on monday! cant believe it myself. he is such a smiley little guy now. just lovely. my LO's head is massive too!

I think a cracked skull might have me reaching for the Marlboros tee

haha your DH has a point though!

Mr D is ten months old today - he has changed so much in the last week - his head is massive and his hair is different and he looks so big! want to put a video of him on my FB page so my sis can see as she will be amazed.

Afternoon all.

JW it is so totally stress. Craving actually started in A&E on Saturday as soon as I heard his skull was cracked. I'm not going to have a cig, but man, I would love to have a cig!!

neddie what an interesting life you lead! And I agree, I would like to be a horse if that's the life they lead.

Had the great vomit of 2009 earlier. All over Adam, his changing table and the floor. I was asleep. DH woke me up. I pointed out that I handled a similar vomit myself yesterday, with no running water. Was told 'yeah, but you're here to help, I was at work. MEN!

HI all
Quick hello- have mother staying at mo. I am nearly to the point of matricide after only 5 days!!!! I could smoke, drink and take drugs at this point!
Managed to cover the non-sexy mare finally today (had to sedate her) after a £379 vet bill so far! One of my mares decided to absorb her foal during the winter and I think the 5th one has wind! Stallion had a lovely afternoon with a bonk, a lovely deep bed,food and a shower. Sometimes I would like to be a horse. Though not the sedation bit. My girl helper is giving the Oxcytocin injection tomorrow as it may bring on my labour if I come in contact- which at the moment, sitting typing with my new belly and back support for massively pregnant hefalumps seems rather appealing.

tee totally understand your craving. It's stress. I think when you're preggy your body releases 'relaxing' hormones and in general, you feel less stressed....or at least that's the plan I'm not suprised your feel like having one right now. After SCBU and then more SCBU and tiredness etc you're bound to a bit stressed out. The plumber prolly finished you off y'day!

I gave up 2 months before I got pregnant and throughout pregnancy, the mere smell made me feel sick. It's still the same now and when I go through doorways into places and there's a crowd stood there puffing away, I wanna barf Don't get me wrong though, there is the odd time where I would happily have one but common sense (like you) gets the better of me

I gave up alcohol before the cigarettes. I think it was a natural progression and also easier that way round as I always wanted to smoke more when I'd have a couple of glasses of wine. I think I found the booze easier to lose though as a mere 2 glasses was making me feel completely vile. Obviously my body couldn't handle it anymore.

Well just got back from Cheshire Oaks shopping place thingy. Waste of time and pile of pants. Still, on the up side, didn't spend any money. Hurrah!

So glad I've just read about your flea cannibalism and infertility problems mrsb. Forgot to pick up the dogs Frontline drops from vets.....must away.

morning

well, the cat has been to the vet for an injection which will make his fleas infertile and when they die they will be eaten by others fleas which will in turn become infertile and so on

/boaks

lovely day here...

tee it's all in the mind - the ciggy craving - but how annoying for you! I gave up 6 years ago and never craved one - was just so so glad to be free of them. I wish giving up the wine was as easy...

jw yea got one already do you think i should just dump those pull ups and put him in pants again tonight?

Can someone please explain to me how I managed to spend 8.5 months not even craving a cigarette (stopped the second I saw the BFP) and now I am dying for one? Not going to have one, but man, totally craving one for the past few days...

heron have you thought about getting one of the bed wetter sheets? If he does have an accident, at least your mattress doesn't need hours of airing.

Here's some if you're interested.

morning all!

i know what you mean jj about feeling like a johnny with no mates where do you live? from my bad memory - somewhere near hammersmith? prolly got that wrong my memory is so bad. hope verity has a better night tonight!

DS1 was dry for 6 nights in a row so last night he and I decided to do without his pull ups, guess what happened? yep. 4am, wet bed

so what do i do now? pull ups tonight or not? he is 5!

jw am glad to see I ain't the only random in the world

Am off to Morrisons to look at tv's and to buy some timber from a local timber yard. Lets hope Himself stays full and no more feeding in supermarkets!

SoonToHaveHadHerNorksOutEverywhereTiggaxx

Funny that floria but I thought about you this morning and that your DH was 'nearly' home I bet you (and even moreso, A) will be pleased to get him home...oh and hurrah that he'll be taking over the night shift too SLEEP! Maybe A will sleep better once his daddy is back.

Oh dear at MiL missing the changing bag. But, when you've got a LO with you and they're excited about going somewhere new, then I guess it's easy to miss something (she says, missing something nearly everytime she goes out ) At least no lasting harm done.

Oh btw re Torchwood ...not sure if Sky has the equivalent, but we watched it 'on demand' tv on Virgin.

As for DD#1's boil, the GP has told her on no account to try and pop it. Apparently it's so big it would scar her leg

floria definitely at MIL and not taking anything with her! Of course you left her an empty bag, why would you leave things for her?!?!

erm keep meaning to say that my DH agrees with you about playing amateur first aider! I had a cyst on my shoulder that got infected and burst. He then spent the next 2 weeks squeezing puss out if it for me. And enjoying it! Well, except for the time the puss shot up into his face. Good thing he was wearing his glasses...

No great plans around here today. I think I mentioned that Monday and Tuesday are holidays here in NI. And we like to hide in our flat during this time, as it can get a bit scary out there, with the Orangemen parades. Probably why there have been security alerts around the city the past few days. So we are going out today for a big shop to get us through until Tuesday, as Monday is the big parade day.

aunts "back" ....

any more I'm sure you will work out for yourselves

...great "pains" to ensure...

sleep deprivation is making me miss out whole words now!

2 more sleeps and DH will be home!!!!!!We always had troubled sleep but never a prob with getting him down... but 3 nights now of 1-1.5 hour screaming matches before he puts his head down and repeat performances at 3am is getting beyond the pale

tee at least the plumber didnt leave you waterless deliberately... I hate it when I hear of a bad/ inconsiderate plumber, my Dad was one and as his pumbersmate I know he always took great to ensure that water/heating was off for the shortest possible time and the customer had drawn some water for washing/drinking before he turned it off (alwys took his own cleaning materials to clean up after himself...you never hear of that these days)Glad you got a better night ..

JW ouch! your poor DD1 I hope that goes quickly. I'm with erm in the willingness to play amateur firstaider and lance these things ...there is something goulishly satisfactory in getting the rubbish out...its inherited...my Mum still regrets going into labour with me before she got a chance to lance a boil on my aunts bank she had been tending with daily hot compresses
Oh dear sorry to hear K has caught on to the head shaking thing but glad Dh is trying to help more.

Haven't watched Torchwood because its a fave of Dhs and he had programmed it to record... but guess what?... someone has been playing with the remote and appears to have cancelled the series link [aaarrrggghhh emoticon] ...scary thing is it might not be Alex; Mil has been babysitting while I work and really cant understand the sky+ [double aaaarrrggghhh] (she took Alex yesterday to watch his cousin play cricket, hadnt returned when I went to pick him up...I finally found them and commented on her bravery taking A out for so long to somewhere without toilets and without a change of clothes ..."you didnt leave any" she says ...so I left a huge black 'empty' changing bag on her kitchen table then? she had also left his water bottle and travel potty ....at least she had taken his sun hat and jacket so thank heavens for small mercies)

Oh sorry, that comment about the Pope wasn't to dawn at all...it was to mrsb.<----------------easily confused

Morning ladies,

Oh dear, I feel as though I'm waking from a general anaesthetic I'm that groggy. DH has been seeing to K all week too - although that doesn't mean a lie in as the banging and crashing coming from him while he's sorting her out kinda wakes you up! Plus the dog was running up and down the stairs, whining, as if to say 'can you get up and feed me, please?'

We're off to vets today too. Just picking up some Frontline. It's that season it seems.

dawn the only people I'd put up here are my children. We could do with another bedroom really for them to call their own but that would cost ££££££££

I went to bed just as Mr Ross was starting and fell straight to sleep so have nothing exciting to tell you about Torchwood as have yet to see the last one. We were going over the previous 4 as DH missed them during the week.

DSS has gone off to his mother's today. He totally forgot he was going last night and I had to remind him. I wonder if that is a good thing (that he forgot, not the I reminded him).

Gah! One last week left in school Get the valiums out. Six weeks of agony bliss, spending lots of time with him. At least I've bought his new school uniform and got that out of the way before all the other mums descent. Just have to sew his name badges in and get him some new shoes.

I think we'll head to Traffic Centre today as I'm really craving descent coffees at the mo. No. Not pregnant!

JJ glad to hear the epotty wasn't an innovation that I'd missed

It's a bit of a bugger that you're not closer. Then you could meet up with myself and floria Have you got a pushbike?

dawn the scarf that michelle obama was wearing is one that my grandmother and her generation used to wear to church. I think they're called mantilla's and you're supposed to wear one when you're in the audience with the Pope.

Morning all. Up twice in the night and now since at 6...grrrrrrr, Verity didn't have a good night.

What excitment does the weekend hold for everyone? Costco and a trip into Wycombe for us lot. Oh and a mini beer festival in the house across the road later!

mrsB I didn't realise that was the last ever Torchwood OK, I realise they're pretty much all dead or up-the-duff but really? Just when it moved to BBC1 Cor, they keep the same on shite on for years and then something good comes along and it's bye, bye. Pah!

Right - must away, Iris is howling and DP seems to be able to sleep through it

Morning all.

Adam had a much better night and I had a perfect night as I put myself into the spare room again!

Torchwood was some good telly.

oops, he's up...try to talk later!!

Oh my Gawd. How good was Torchwood? Lots of moral questions - bit like Star Trek at its best.I can't believe they will leave it there -the viewing figures should have been high enough to make them have a rethink I reckon.

Interesting to see Mrs Obama got up like an elderly Italian widow woman meeting the Pope on the news

ermintrude you could try not running around after them... I have lately taken to telling my dearly beloved sis that she and her equally very highly paid bf that they can stay in a hotel when they come to visit rather than the blow up bed on our living room floor.

/ahem. this having nothing whatsoever to do with the uneradicable flea population that has taken up residence on the back of the sofa...

saying goodnight in the eminent style of DawnTigga:

UpEarlyForVetsAappointmentWhatABuggerMrsBxx

Evening all. OMG, I'm emotionally drained after Torchwood...WHAH!

erm cor - you're gonna have your hands full! Doing London AND back (in a clapped out old Fiat) in ONE day....blimey, wish them luck from me !

tee well, yes, that's sort of good news....currently employed is good !

What is it with all you lot up north all Midlands...feel like Johnny no mates here down sarf! Waves at heron who is almost down the road!

jw epotty - ah that'll be the Potty! epotty - virtual peeing, now that's complicated!

Right - bed...am knackered.

tee at least it buys him some more time to apply for another position and keep the money coming in Good news.

I think everyone has either emigrated, gone to bed or, what I think you're all doing, watching Torchwood. I'm having to watch the first again as DH missed them.

Think it'll be early night tonight as DSS woke me at 6am with his singing in bed routine. I can't even blame K for getting me up so early!

She's made me laugh today. She's just so cute in the things she does and then the way she looks at you when she's done them. It's that transition from little baby to them having their own personality. It's so adorable

Now I can't abide Piers Morgan but I think I might have to sneak a look tomorrow night at what Ms Price has to say for herself. I read today in DM that Peter Andre and his team of lawyers will be ready to pounce on anything that they see as her lying about him and use it against her in court. I can see all this ending in tears.....but I want to see what happens in the meantime

Sort of JW. They've found him something to do, at least, but we aren't sure for how long. And there is a job opening he is very interested in, so maybe this will work out, who knows? At least he is currently employed!

ermintrude you sound like you're in for a fun week I guess you could put your foot down but then again, you end up feeling mean. Bite that lip then and carry on regardless? Good luck

tee what happened with DH? Is everything ok with his job?

Hmmm @ bomb scares in NI. Guess that's not something out of the ordinary then. Enjoy the extra days with him at home.

dawn I'll email you on FB

Well all this talk of illness and death. We have only until the end of next month before our self imposed winter exile/hiberation begins. I think this will be the last winter we'll have to do it but if needs must. Plus, we don't get the bronchiolitis injections this year so have to be extra careful.

Tee hope DH's meeting went well. And that you're not left without water!

Bonzo Your farewell from work colleagues sounds just like Tee's - only at least she half-expected it. How thoroughly shoddy, not to mention, shite, of people though. Hardly sets you up to miss work.... Anyway, here's to a lovely mat leave

JW hope DD's boil is sorted soon. I would so love to lance a boil. I've got this amateur first-aider thing going on; DH knows that the main reason I carry a biro with me is not to make creative notes on the hoof but in case I'm called upon to perform an emergency tracheotomy.

JJ So glad Iris likes the pre-school, sounds great. Hope your friend's op went well.

Mrsb yikes, I hadn't heard that news. There are cases on some Notts schools. Still, in Mansfield there's a teacher being charged with attempted murder of a pupil, so it sounds like a dangerous time to be in secondary schools round here

Another sister is coming to meet baby A tomorrow - bringing her DSD and DD who's 9 months old, and planning to do London and back in my old clapped-out Fiat all on the same day without her DP, who is plastering their flat, so he says. This is a woman who has never been able to get up in the morning. I have had to say they can stay overnight, as she knew I would . I love her dearly but it's like knowing that three new dependents are coming to be looked after and I could do without it. Actually her DSD is pretty self-sufficient and gets on v well with my DD so it's just my sis and niece I'll be running about after. Hey ho - can't complain, mustn't grumble; help yourself to another piece of apple cruuuuuumble. yeah yeah yeah. as Martin Fry would say.

Have good weekends all

jw I live near Knutsford - mail me and I'll be more specific, had a stalker short story bad times

NotGoingThroughThatAgainTiggaxx

In the UK mrsb?

Ahh, 4 day weekend here in NI. Not that it matters to me, except DH will be home to help. I need it after the day I've had with my Little Man. Missing plumbers and vomiting babies does not make for a pleasant day!

evenin' all

finally. the weekend. two days of no work. phew.

so, what have I missed on here today?

eeeek first fit/healthy person has died of swine flu!!

Actually, it was not the plumbers fault. There was a bomb scare at the local train station which was between him at B&Q and getting back to our flat. And I have no recourse, because I did not hire the man!

Bomb threats...welcome to NI.

dawn I meant to ask you, which part of m/cr are you in? I'm to the north in Bury.

I doubt anyone would mind about the muslin. If they think you're smuggling anything out, then they'll have a job prizing your boobs off your chest to put back on display

I knew Iris would love it once she started there. It's fantastic that she does and you'll really see the changes in her PDQ. Can I ask; what's an epotty? Is it one that can send emails as well? I'm suspecting a typo but if I've missed out some form of technology, then I'll be miffed!

Glad you're doing your letters of complaint. I count them as a hobby these days. Seriously.

The shaking head is such fun and yes, annoying for everyone apart from the LO doing it. I can see the look of power in her eyes which makes it even more frustrating.

tee very bad form leaving you in the lurch even if there was another job. You're a new mother with an extremely young baby. They shouldn't have left you without water. See above comment about letters of complaint. Get one in to the plumber if your landlord will not do it on your behalf.

I so want something tempting and non-fattening, (yet bound to be fattening) for evening meal. No curry as we're taking K for her first Indian tomorrow. Can't have it two nights running or my insides will be in turmoil. I think I have a pizza iced into one of the freezer drawers. Huzzah! A frosty treat - pizza lollies

Hi guys,

What is it about Sam that makes him hungry in the middle of supermarkets???????

Today in the cake decoration isle at Morrisons. If this continues I'll have done all the major supermarket chains by the end of next week!!!!!!!!! I don't mind getting the norks out in public but I always think that doing things under a muslin cloth in a shop makes you look like a shop lifter - I'm always terrified I'll get stopped on the way out!

SoonToBeOnCrimeWatchTiggaxx

Oooo, tee it sounds like your plumber had another job to go to. It's one of the first things i ask tradesman - is this a sole job? Just that it seems they think it's perfectly acceptable to bugger off on the pretence of getting something when really they're doing a big cash job

Iris blinking LOVED it jw AND she did a wee on the epotty for the pre-school. She definately prefers pre-school to nursery. I;m with nursery at the moment...they've had a lot of staff changes, aren't motivated and have let things slip really badly. Iris doesn't even have a key worker and apparently that's illegal I'm composing a letter this eve to the owner - see if I can get him to shake it up a bit. If not - then we're off.

Hahaha jw K is shaking her head and doing 'no' as well! Verity's just started too - cute yet annoying, especially when she pushes her plate away and shakes her head and tries to immitate her sister by saying 'gone'! Grrrrr

I managed to bathe him, i have hot water in kitchen, mixed it with cold water from fridge. i don't have any way to contact plumber. DH rang land lord who is suppose to ring huim back

Oh lordy tee. Do you have his mobile number? do you have any water at all? I was going to suggest that if you have at least bottled water, you could always warm it up and use that for a bath for LO. If not, then it's a strip wash with baby wipes I guess.

JJ I'm so tired today, you're lucky that was semi-coherent, never mind that it was in American!!!

Adam just threw up in his amby. Now he really needs a bath and no sign of plumber. Good news is that he left his tool box, so I assume he will be back...

Yes, it's been a tad quiet on here of late. Obviously busy with babies

bonzo I think it's appalling that no one even got you a card! Terrible! An apology is just not good enough IMHO. At least you have a year off to look forward to even if it won't really be much of a jolly with 2 LO's to look after....it beats working

JJ how's Iris loving liking pre-school? Good on you for looking after your vintage matey

K has learnt to shake her head. In the stylie of 'no'. She's very good at shaking it too especially when food is involved. I'd almost think it was cute if I could get the food past her lips

Gonna go and check on big daughter later. Boils are indeed nasty things especially when you GET THEM WHERE, BONZO????

Hello all....just passing through! Been ferrying around 85yr old friend who's had an operation - I'm now making more shepherds pie and soup for her for later and then picking Iris up from pre-school. Knackered!

bonzo HUZZAH! Absolutely and completely fabulous that it's your last day. Arse to not getting a card though! I can't believe you measured your bump! I did put on 4.5 stones over two pregnacies...so it's taken a year to come off and i've still really got 7-8lbs to go.

Oh and your MIL sounds like mine. The woman is a human whirlwind....bloddy marvellous!

jw Blimey that boil sounds horrendous...poor thing. She's much too gorgeous to have something as ugly as a boil!

tee LOL @faucet....TAPS, dear girl...TAPS!!! And yes, OMFG @ Torchwood. Even DP (who fell asleep in the bath) woke up and was in the living room wet and starkers shouting "what's happened, what have I missed?!"

Right - must dash - Oh dawntigga I sent you a FB will you be my friend message. My DP also never wants for b'day pressies...best get thinking cap on for a nice non-pressie for him next month

Where is everyone today?? [tumbleweed]

. * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Oh jj hope your DD is ok. I had a boil once in a place best not mentioned - think it came from an ingrowing hair in the garden. Made sitting down interesting and I did feel really ropey while my body fought the infection - hopefully the antibiotics will help DD beat it soon.

Two and a half hours to go at work then off for a year. A full year! Yippee!
Just been for lunch and it was yum!
On the way back my boss presented me with .............

..... don't hold your breaths .......

..... an apology!

The only woman in my team of 7 has been on holiday for the last two weeks and of the remaining 6 not one of them even thought to get a card. Good job I completely and utterly expected it [Lola voice].

Grr, plumber was here fixing the faucets. Plumber left about 45 minutes ago to pick something up, said he'd be back in 1/2 hour. I have no working faucets. Both Little Man and myself need washing!!!

LOL bonzo. Actually I was just guessing really as that's what most people would say. My MiL died last year so she doesn't say much about the state of our house

Can you send either your MiL or your DH over to me when they can spare a mo? I've many jobs for them

Having to go and pick up DD#1 from work as she's got this horrendous boil on her thigh. She got antiB's y'day from GP but now has a temperature. I think it's probably the infection getting into her system. The tablets should sort her out by tomorrow methinks. A day in bed resting should do the trick

Ha jw - my house is the opposite way round to yours by the sound of it. If MiL visits she does the dishes, puts the washing on, hangs it out, irons it, hoovers, plays with M, everything. And DH does almost all the housework at the moment. Dish and Clothes washing, cooking, bathing M, bins, tidying ... plus sorting out the blooming/sprouting garden. I really can't complain. (My family on the other hand ..... grrrrr)

tee sorry about your sleepless night. he is only 4 weeks old. ah bless. hard for you tho. was he hungry every 2 hours? how much was he taking? there is a growth spurt at around 3 weeks tho. and then again at 6 weeks.

bonzo you made me laugh! cant believe you measured your waistline ! i was not game enough to do it when i was preg!

Awww bonzo You've got an excuse to have a waist that big! We DON'T! (can't count cake either).

Wow you've really worked right up to the end haven't you? Is this so you can have longer after baby is born? Well, enjoy your week and a half (blimey, not long at all). I wouldn't worry about what your house is doing. Visitors usually only come to see baby and don't notice much else (unless it's a MiL ) Get DH in on the act and give him a list of chores - you might have more success than me

tee I thought no news was good news with DH's job Fingers (and toes) crossed that the outcome is a good one and that he'll be keeping the one he already has I know this will fall on deaf ears, but try not to worry. You have enough on your plate at the mo. Rest is order of the day!

Morning all

My last day at work today! Woo Hoo! Then I'll have a week and a half til C-Day. Eeek. How much of the midden can I rescue in that time so it is fit for visitors?

Tee so glad Adam has been "released". Little swine about the waking though [zzzzzz]
If it's any consolation I was wide awake from 5 til 6 and I don't even have a blinkin baby yet!

jj - a size TEN???? Get thee gone from here!! (does that mean you are half my size?? eeek - measured my waist and it was 52 inches!!!!)

Oh I know JW. I'm not blaming Adam! He's just being a baby! Right now he's happy gurgling away in his bouncy chair, playing with his animals that hang over him.

Unfortunately DH has a major meeting at work today, about his job gulp so he's not here. He's going to try to get home early so I can have a lie down later.

Awww tee. It's hard going when you don't get any sleep at all. Can you have a lie down today while DH has A?

Sorry to hear he's awake through the night but he's only little still and they still that kind of thing. It does get better. Honestly!

dawn you're a bit like myself and DH. If we see something that we want then we usually buy it. It ends up that it is hard to buy for b'days and xmas. I know! I always find that you can never have enough diamonds though

Morning all.

Little Man woke up every two hours from 10 to 5. I am exhausted. So much for my guy who sleeps through!

Waiting for the plumber today. Oh fun!

dawn the beginning of your night sounds like all of mine! Glad he finally settled and you got some sleep.

JW good luck with the new bottles.

Waves to all.

HRH Sam was a sod to get fed last night, kept pulling off an crying as if his heart was breaking - which of course broke mine! Then @ about 2130 he goes off to sleep no problems tiny grrr face! Slept through to 0300 fed, changed and slept through until 0630! I'll take the crying if he'll sleep like that! Actually, I won't take the crying, too upsetting for mum!

Today is dp's birthday and frankly you can't get a man who literally wants nothing a present! I won't give him clothes as I buy them anyway so I've thrown cash at him with the strict instruction he is to spend it on himself! Thing is I'm in exactly the same position for me, come my birthday I don't want anything as I've got everything I need now

SimpleNeedsTiggaxx

Morning all.

Hurrah, it's Friday! No idea why I'm excited as nothing different is going on at Worf Towers

K is still in bed. She's having lots of big sleeps these days so can only think she's either on a growth spurt or she's anaemic. Thinking it's prolly the former.

Yesterday I ditched the Dr Brown's bottles. I went for new teats and they cost a small fortune. Then thought that now she's off the Gaviscon and fully weaned, might as well try her with one of the cheapo standard bottles. She took it so I'm thinking that praps she isn't that bothered. Saved me a few pennies anyway

No plans here for the day as yet. Any of you ladies doing anything exciting?

iris how are you getting along dear? How is LO doing?

Who have we got left that is pregnant? I know we have neddie and possibly duchesse but brain has seized on other mums in waiting. Apologies if I've forgotten you

Loving Torchwood!!!

size 10 eh jj gritsteeth--
seriosly , well done! I am a 16 and can only ever hoe to get down to a 12 with my height.

jw enjoy the mani/pedi and the curry evening. I am v am desperate for a curry. Haven't had any sort of treat for so so so long.

tee that is cluster feeding that is. D did a mini cluster feed tonight and had 2 bottles 2 hrs apart before bed. Just to warn you re the follow on milk - it really didn't make that much difference to D's feeding habits when he went on it. Also, if you stop him cluster feeding you might also stop him sleeping through!

All I can say about Torchwood is: F**cking hell.

And now I'm going to bed.

Ladies - just to say that the size 10s don't look good yet - they merely fit I've got a till my birthday in September deadline!!

Torchwood... Oh it's good and horrid. Now, do we think Lois is going to join what's left of Torchwood?

Oooo do sizes go less than a 16 then ????

Quickly before Torchwood...

heron he's 4 weeks today! And I am thinking the same thing about next fee and then sleep!!

JW my niece, who is off to University in the fall, had her ears pierced in the delivery room. Her mom is Mexican. Its a cultural thing for them. I agree its a bit .

JJ Size 10! Way to go!

Okay, gone to watch Torchwood...

Size 10 eh JJ? Well done old girl (gritted teeth smile)

Bugger @ the hooded towel. What a b'stard knicking a towel! You gotta be desperate to do that kind of thing imho. We bought K's from the cheap swedish shop. I think it was less than a fiver and it's hooded and poncho-like At least the girls enjoyed themselves.

Talking of chavtastic, I saw a couple with a baby in a pushchair the other day and the LO, same age-ish as K, had her ears pierced. I couldn't stop staring. How rude of me. I was mesmerised and kept thinking, 'why?' Lots of head shaking ensued.

Torchwood here too.

tee my guess is he will prob go down after the 8.30pm feed and then need another one around 11pm and then sleep through?

hopefully anyway! how many weeks is he now?

tee sounds like A is doing really well with his feeds. Give it another day before you decide - suck it and see, as they say

hedgepig beer? noise? food??? What do you think you're doing enjoying yourself? You have no right to...now get back to boiling some socks or something or other

Evening all. Cor, just sat down - knackered. Girls enjoyed swimming - especially the wave machine! Mind you I thought Windsor was posh but the pool was chavtastic and some swine knicked Verity's hooded towel We were going to see the queen but didn't get any time

jw Loving the idea of K sampling a bit of korma! Iris is partial to onion bagees and popadoms! Oooo and pedi and mani

tee wonderful news on the SCBU release!

mrsB loving Torchwood too! And huge congrats on the weight.

Talking of weight - I've finally got into a pair of Fat Face combats I had before the girls were born...10 A tad snug but now I'm using them as my target rather than the scales!!

the sound of loud music is heard in the background along with shrieking, loud voices and beer being opened grin] .......actually I'm cooking tea no party here JW I'm afraid

I've been in bit of a whirl today. visiting a friend and then having another over after school, phew I need a rest.

Iris congratulations my dear, thanks heavens they were able to act quickly.

Having some tea then dealing with cranky boy here. He had 120 ml at 7:30...and is chowing another 120 ml right now at 8:30. This is after eating about every 3 hours during the day. No clue if I should up him to C&G2 or what. Guess I'll see how tomorrow goes.

Enjoy your pedi and mani JW. It sucks that he needed a kick in the ass, but maybe he's learned his lesson now? And there's some good sucking up going on! Hope LO enjoys the Korma!!

Where's everyone gone? Is there a party and I've not been invited?

Running around this afternoon with DD#1 who has developed a boil on her thigh. GP visit and antibiotics. I think she's a bit stressed and run down. Aren't we all ?

Just watching moon head Gregg Wallace again. I dunno why I do it as his very face offends me but I cannot turn off! Gah! Own fault etc.

We're taking both the girls (DD1 & DD2) out for a curry on Saturday teatime. First time for K...def not first time for DD1 We shall see if she likes the lamb vindaloo Actually DD1 only eats korma so may try K with a little taste.

I'm going to have a mani/pedi on Saturday paid for by DH as a treat I really have to get my hair sorted out as the roots are coming through. However, I want to change my hairdresser as my old one has gone off the boil a bit. I hate changing though as they get used to your hair and know how you like it etc......You know what I mean I'm sure.

iris yay both of you! Fab name and Niamh passes the teatime test

The randomness that is my life continues with bf'ing in the bbq isle at Sainsbugs

Didn'tRealiseHowHeavy13lbWasTiggaxx

tee great to hear he's been giving the all clear I think changing over any food (follow on's, weaning, etc) sends their tums off, being as sensitive as they are. See how he goes and see what you think

Afternoon all.

Well, Adam has been officially released by SCBU follow up today. He'll have a 'fell on his head' follow up in a few weeks and then a few months and then he should be fine!

He's now 9lb 14oz and 21inches long. So he has definitely had a bit of a growth spurt over the last 2 weeks or so!

I spoke to Doctor about putting him on C&G 2, which the doc said is fine, but probably will constipate him. Giving him until the weekend to see how he does.

mrsb good on you for looking glam and D's massive sleep!

Okay, catch up with everyone else later, Little Man just woke up!

Iris congratulations on the birth of Niamh! Gorgeous name! What an exciting birth - glad you all survived it - good to have good care and have hte inportant things picked up. Don't go thinking about the other Niamh ... and other scenarios - not good with all your hormones raging. Just be grateful things went the way they did. really happy for you!

Tee I'm with the others thinking A is probably having a growth spurt or getting ready to sleep longer. M slept throught he night from 6 weeks and I thought it was heaven on earth ... until she got hungrier again and at 13 weeks started waking in the night again.

I've got another 3 stone to go!

am v pleased with D's sleeping, but, like the tottering, am not expecting it to be repeated any time soon. He has offered tempting glimpses of the possibility all nighters before and then swiftly snatched them away again.

isn't Torchwood v good? am enjoying it immensely.

Iris Gosh, that sounds so potentially tricky, what relief and joy that Niamh came out of it fighting; well done everyone concerned!

JW Glad DH is listening and doing; long may it continue.

MrsB am of weight loss. I have less than 1st to lose to get back to pre-preg weight - but I was already at least a stone too heavy. It's gonna be a long haul . Still, I shall take it steadily and be glad it's summer salad days to start off the weight loss.

Cluster feeding sounds about right. After 8 nights of feeding him whilst nodding off between 11 and 3.30, Arthur went down at 11.30 and slept a whole 6 hours last night, then fed massively, then did another 3.5 . But I know it won't last.

Good to hear from you neddie and happy belated birthday!

heron ooh, you've some orange nappies to look forward to

mrsb well done to your LO for sleeping for such a long time!

just given LO a sweet veg medley, consisted of carrot, butternut squash and potato, all pureed. very orange! managed not to stain anything ! he still finds spoonfeeding very odd!